Carl Schneider was born in Ralls, Texas in 1928. He attended the Texas Technological college before joining the Army Air Force in 1946. Carl first trained as a turret mechanic before becoming an Aviation Cadet. He graduated from P-51 pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona in 1948. General Schneider flew over 100 combat missions in Korea. In 1951 he returned to Arizona for the first of several tours at Luke Air Force Base. In 1964 he went to Vietnam as one of the first U.S. Air Force officers assigned to the Second Air Division. He helped establish a forward air control/air liaison officer program working and flying with the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.