general kuklok enrolled in the platoon leaders class program in march 1965 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the reserve of the united states marine corps in august 1968. he graduated from naval aviation flight training in nas pensacola, fl earning his naval aviator wings in october 1969. he was assigned to uh-1e helicopter transition with hml-267, camp pendleton, california. lieutenant kuklok served in south vietnam from march 1970 to march 1971 with hml-367, flying the ah-1g cobra. he also served as a forward air controller with 2nd battalion, 7th marines at camp pendleton. he completed his initial active duty with hma-169 in 1972.