What Did Bush Do in the Guard?

He was not the only son of privilege in the Texas Guard then. The son of Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, a Democrat, also served.

Regardless of how he got into the Guard, Bush's commanders rated him well.

Staudt recorded that Bush was "a quiet, intelligent young man who has the interest, motivation and knowledge necessary in today's Air Force and Air National Guard flying programs."

Stated another performance report: "Lt. Bush is a dynamic, outstanding young officer. He clearly stands out."

The Texas Guard capitalized on the Bush name, especially as the elder Bush rose from congressman to United Nations ambassador to head of the Republican National Committee while son George served in the Guard. Periodically, Guard officials put out press releases drumming up attention to the young man who "gets high all right," but not on drugs; from flying.

The young Bush, 21 when he joined the Guard, had other pursuits too.

He drove a convertible sports car and braved the bachelor life in cramped, often disheveled rooms in one of Houston's tonier singles apartment complexes. He also drank (a habit he did not completely forgo until he reached 40) and dated. And like his father, he had an early passion for politics.

In 1972, his father's friend Winton "Red" Blount Jr. was running for the Senate in Alabama, and Bush sought and obtained a transfer to a Guard unit in Montgomery. This one did not come so easily -- not because Alabama wouldn't accept him, but because Texas didn't want to sign off on Bush's plan.

In May of 1972, his squadron commander, Maj. William D. Harris Jr., said in an fitness evaluation that "Lt. Bush is very active in civic affairs in the community and has a deep interest in the operation of our government. He had recently accepted a position as campaign manager for a candidate for United States Senate."

To keep his Guard service active, Bush first applied for transfer to an Air Reserve unit in Montgomery. Lt. Col. Reece Bricken of the Alabama unit approved the transfer but cautioned in a report back to Bush: "The continuation of this type unit is uncertain at this time and we may last 3 months, 6 months, a year or who knows! With this in mind, if you are willing to accept assignment under these circumstances, welcome! We're glad to have you."

But Bush's superiors in Texas nixed the transfer; they ruled him ineligible since it was noncompatible service. Bush next applied for the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Montgomery, which flew Phantom II jets, even though Bush was not qualified to fly the aircraft.