Sober 10 years since 6/5/1987, Jack tends to talk more about recovery than his drinking.
He went to his 1st AA 2/1972 in Silverspring, MD and the 2nd in June 1985 in Castlebury, FL.
He grew up in central Pennsylvania, went to and graduated from Penn State. His dad was a drunk and the family was full of resentments.
A psychiatrist told him to get in touch with his inner child but he could never raise that kid.
"Sending an alcoholic to a psychiatrist is like sending a jellyfish to an orthopedic surgeon - there is absolutely nothing to work with."
He excelled in sports and academics. He did not drink until he was 17. It immediately became his solution even though he swore he would never be like his dad.
But that is what he became.
After college, the draft still on, he joined the Air Force and became a spy with a periodic drinking problem. When he got out he started working for the National Security Agency - the greatest bunch of kooks he ever met.
He worked hard at hiding it behind all the stuff he accumulated. He got DUIs annually in the early 80's.
His dad got sober in AA and died with 10 years but before Jack got sober.