MSgt Long served 20 years in the United States Navy and Air Force from 1947 to 1967. His duties in the Navy included assignment to the heavy cruiser USS Columbus as a seaman and the Atomic Energy Test Ground in Nevada where he assisted in the observation of post World War II atomic tests.

In the Air Force MSgt Long served six years as a training instructor before joining Detachment 4 of the 1st Air Commando Wing, the forerunner of the 7th Air Commando Squadron. As First Sergeant of the 7th Air Commando Squadron in Germany, he helped establish one of the first tactical air support units using C-130s to supply forward combat units using innovative low-level support tactics, sometimes under heavy enemy fire.

MSgt Long was named Outstanding Airman of the Year for Europe in 1965 for his work in setting up this squadron.

MSgt Long is currently retired, living in Battleground, WA with his wife of 40+ years, Shirley. He has three sons, Ronald, Terence, and Wesley.