 In 1963, at age 17, Bacon forged his mother's signature to enlist in the Arizona National Guard.The next year, he joined the US Army, and after basic training at Fort Ord in California, he was stationed in Worms, Germany.Of his military service Bacon later said, "I was never prouder, I was never in better shape, I was never more sure that I stood for something in my life than I was when I wore the uniform."