Bob Otto enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 4, 1968, and graduated from Artillery Officer Candidate School in September 1969. He completed Rotary Wing Flight School in August 1970 and deployed to Vietnam the following month. While in Vietnam, he served with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company until April 1971, when he transitioned to Battalion Headquarters as an Operations Officer. He returned to the United States in September 1971 and was honorably discharged in March 1972.
