In this essay I will discuss how my life led me to a career in the United States Air Force, outline my most important experiences while serving, and describe how I contribute to the larger Air Force mission. My personal Air Force story began with a strong family tradition of military service. My great-uncle, whom I never knew, served as an infantryman during World War I. My grandfather served in the Navy as a flight instructor during World War II, training pilots who went on to win the war against Japan in the Pacific. My father served as a Huey helicopter crew chief and door gunner in the Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, he completed the remainder of his 20-year career in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, flying Medical Evacuation missions in the Huey. My uncle also served in the Army during Vietnam. With such strong examples of service set by men I respected, I decided early in life that I, too, wanted to serve in my nation’s armed forces. The only question was how. As a child I attended a local air show with my father and came away smitten with aircraft, and the idea of someday being a pilot. The idea of joining the Air Force, which would give me the opportunity to serve in the military while at the same time following my dream of flying airplanes, suited me perfectly. The prospect of a free college education made the idea even better! Throughout high school I devoted my efforts in and out of school to achieving this goal. My pursuit paid off with an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2004. After four challenging years at the Academy and a year of Undergraduate Pilot Training, I finally realized my dream of becoming an Air Force Pilot. I was assigned to Vance AFB, Oklahoma as a... ... middle of paper ... ...ed to the success of America’s foreign policy. I’m proud to be a part of that. Similarly, our squadron’s nuclear airlift mission allows the Air Force to support U.S. strategic arms policy by providing transport for the most sensitive of cargo. The relocation of nuclear weapons, which could destroy whole cities if they fell into the wrong hands, is an awesome responsibility. Our safe execution of that mission allows arms reduction treaties, such as that signed between the U.S. and Russia in April 2010, to be effective instruments of America’s national policy. In this essay I have explained how my background and values led me to a career in the United States Air Force, my most important experiences while serving, and how my job allows me to contribute to the larger Air Force mission. I look forward to continuing my career in the world’s greatest Air Force.
It is gratifying to know that you are finally on an Honor Flight; a much deserved token of respect for your service! Hopefully, it proves to be a source of wonderful memories for years to come.
In my current role, I am in command of 2 Troop, a star level instructor, as well as the Master of Arms on the Marksmanship Team, providing the cadets with the knowledge required to succeed in Cadets and demonstrating my strong will to support others to become better. If selected, I would like to share the experience (through various means such as PowerPoints, informal conversations, and written forms) in hopes of inspiring more youth to appreciate their fortunate lives as a result of the soldiers that fought for our freedom.
"History of the Air Force part 2." www.airforce.com. U.S. Air Force, 4 12 2013. Web. 4 Dec 2013.
There are many things that have impacted my life in a positive way as a result of my military service. For starters, joining the Navy was huge. It got me organized and opened my eyes to an entirely new world, and not just the military service world. The variety of experiences that I’ve had in the service interacting with people from all over the world has helped me grow as a person. However, from the day I entered service, one item or one rank in the structure of the Navy struck me as critical to the operation of the Navy. That item or rank was the position of the Chief Petty Officer. As I entered service I quickly discovered that the Chief was the go to guy and the old saying “ask a chief” had a profound meaning. The Chief was a leader, mentor, and an expert in just about everything, all qualities that I lacked at the time. Then, twelve or so years later, the life changing event for me of being selected as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy came to fruition.
This career is important to society because every great nation needs warrior’s battle ready to defend it from oncoming threats and onslaughts. These brave young men and women defend and fight for those who can’t do it for themselves. Fighting a war test a soldier’s skill but defending his home tests a soldier’s heart. The Few, the Proud, the Marines………………..
As you can see it was not a single factor, but a combination of many that led to me join the USAF, and a critical series of opportunities that have led me to the position I now occupy. The unique experiences and expertise I have allow me to help ensure the capabilities of the F-22 Raptor are delivered to the war fighter in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus ensuring the USAF maintains Air Superiority long into the future.
The experiences I had growing up have ingrained numerous morals, and some of my beliefs that I still carry today. I grew up in Miami, Florida and was raised by my grandfather and grandmother. My grandfather was my role model. My grandfather was a person who lived through the depression and learned to work hard and pay cash for what you want. He believed in old fashion hard work and that’s something that I too believe. He also believed in honesty always. In the Air Force honesty is depicted in our core value of integrity which I feel is extremely important and try to live daily. Finally, he also was in the Army Air Forces and fought in World War II. He would tell me about his time in the Air Force and how he really liked the military life. This is why when I was looking to go to college and thought of the military’s GI Bill the only service I considered was the Air Force. Here in my twenty first year, I can simply see how some of my values that I learned from growing up with my grandfather have helped develop the leader traits of honesty, accountability, and a sense of patriotism and dedication to the Air Force.
Since my first visit at the Air Force Academy as a young boy, I instantly realized this is where I want to go. Ironically, I never why I wanted to go, was it my parents will or the expectations of others and myself? As I started to mature and grow, I learned more about the academy and what it really meant to become a cadet. The opportunity to have a world class education pushed me to pursue acceptance to the Academy. Going to the Summer Seminar will give me a chance to explore many aspects of cadet life to further enrich my interest in the Academy.
The United States Army has been through many changes since its start in 1775, yet it remains the greatest, most disciplined all volunteer fighting force in the world. Like the service members of the past and present, many Army units have contributed to the success of our military, and like those service members many have been lost. Even though these units are not as well known as the divisions they have belonged to, they have enriched the history of our Army just the same. The achievements of the 123rd Aviation Battalion have contributed to the history and success of our nations battles.
P-51D Mustangs zooming by and all you can see it the bright red tails of the aircraft. As we all know by now that the Tuskegee Airmen were one of the best if not the best fighter squadron of WWII. I wanted to write some about aviation that interested me and affected the outlook on minorities in aviation. First on wanted to talk about how this whole outfit started also what it took for them to become the red tail as we all know today. Also what other planes the flew during the war and some off the big named pilot that came for the Tuskegee airmen and what they did after the war.
I have led, recognized and employed the strengths and talents of those Airmen entrusted to me. I have lead from the front only because I have earned the trust of those behind me. I believe in and embody our service's core values in my personal and professional lives. I am the 'Whole Airman' through excellent technical aptitudes, unrivaled commitment to duty and a genuine desire to improve our force. Time and time again, and without reservation, my family and I sacrificed our wants and time for the demands of my profession. My family and I fully understand what this transition entails and as an officer, I will be fully devoted to the duties and Airmen entrusted to me. As a prior-enlisted officer, I will empathize with my Airmen ensuring their contributions are recognized and further develop them in every facet that is our Air Force culture. Finally, as a commissioned Airman, I intend to serve long and decisively to honor those that have served before us, my family’s proud military heritage and my wife and daughter…who drive me to be successful and strive for every new
Being a part of the military was a part of my dreams since my childhood, and my dreams came true when I became a midshipman in the Turkish Naval High School. I managed to be an international midshipman in the USNA when I prevailed among all of my classmates. I was successful, but inefficient and exhausted. In other words, I was putting effort in academics and leadership, and in everything more than normal. What I realized is that “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” (Karelitz). My mistake was not knowing myself, my surroundings, where I was, and my purpose exactly which led me into exhaustion, and demotivation.
The United States of America is a powerful and well known force throughout the world. It has become a superpower of nations in just about three hundred years, being one of the newest nations in existence today. Its military reaches out into several countries in the globe and holds a presence as a peacekeeper and wielder of democracy. Of the US military’s five branches, the Air Force is the ruler of the skies, keeping control of the earth’s aerospace. Without the Air Force Special Operations, the military could not complete operations as effectively or efficiently as it potentially could. The United States Air Force is a key part of America’s mission to spread and assist democracy throughout the world.
I served in the military for twenty-nine years. I retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. I am very proud of my achievement in the service considering that I enlisted as an E-1, the lowest rank of an enlisted man. During my career in the military, I held various positions of responsibility that include; Chemical, Biological Warfare Officer, Engineering Plant Assessor and an Engineer Officer with one hundred eleven personnel working for me.
The United States Air Force (USAF) is composed of a diverse workforce. Its men and women come from all walks of life and their contributions make the USAF the world’s premier fighting force. I’m a proud member of this dedicated team of professionals. My Air Force story is, but one out of thousands of others illustrating the diverse backgrounds and values our Airmen bring to our force, the experiences that shape our understanding of the profession of arms, and the contributions we make to the Air Force’s mission.