Failure Not an Option: A Cold War Memoir from Nuclear Crisis to Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer A Memoir

Failure Not an Option: A Cold War Memoir from Nuclear Crisis to Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer chronicles the life of Bob Hicks, whose journey began in Texas and led him to the most secure command centers in the world. This gripping true story reveals how extraordinary challenges and unwavering commitment shaped his career and personal motto: Failure is Not an Option. Hicks entered the Air Force with only his Somerset High School diploma and a strong set of values. As a low-ranking airman, he faced a catastrophic crisis when a nuclear warhead was blown off a Minuteman ICBM at Ellsworth AFB. With thousands of lives at stake, Hicks devised and executed a recovery plan, earning trust and responsibility beyond his rank. His expertise led him to transport the damaged warhead over 70 miles to a support base-a defining incident that set the tone for his career. Advancing rapidly, Hicks gained specialized training in bomb disposal and rendering safety techniques, joined the elite Strategic Air Command Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation team, and participated in classified missions in Vietnam-era Guam.