He signed up for a 4-year commitment in Electronics but was found to be colorblind and served two years as an Administrative Specialist. He transferred to the California Air National Guard, then later to the Air Force Reserves. While in the Air Force Reserves, he worked as an Air Transportation Supervisor processing people, and essential items such as helicopters and heavy war equipment. At home base, he primarily supported the rapid deployment of Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton and numerous missions including support of the US. Coast Guard, FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other Humanitarian missions, airdrop, air support for forest fires, and backfilling in for active-duty positions when needed. Fred also went on deployments to Japan, South Korea, Guam, Philippines, Europe, Southern Europe, Oman (embassy duty), and Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Further served in Alaska, Hawaii, and numerous stateside bases throughout the continental U.S. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 2007.

In his civilian life, Fred received a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology and worked for the state of California as a senior claims adjuster in the Workman’s Compensation Department starting in 2001 and retiring in 2021. Fred and his wife Deborah have been married for 23 years and have four children and three grandchildren. He has been a Boy Scout leader for seven years and is the Committee Chair of his local council, active in his church and KAIROS prison ministry for inmates in CA Department of Corrections facilities. He enjoys going on walks, biking, hiking, and being outdoors. In 2015, Fred was diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney failure, which progressed until the need for dialysis in 2021, and has been reliant on it ever since.