The day was October 10th 2012. I had just left my job working at Walmart as an Inventory Manager to pursue a career in the United States Air Force. The reason I chose to change my lifestyle was I didn’t feel like I would accomplish anything or be anybody if I worked at Walmart my whole life. So, the day I quit I went directly to the recruiters’ office over a half hour away to start the process of enrolling in the United States Air Force. To my surprise, the process took no more than a few days. All I had done was tell her I wanted to join. I was given notice by my recruiter that I would be leaving the 15th of October. That day I would be traveling to Pittsburgh to process into the military system. On my way down to Pittsburgh, I was driven
How my mentor saved my Air Force career? I was a lost, angry individual because of how the promotions were given out. The Air Force EPR system is an Enlisted Performance Report that every Air Force member gets annually. It serves as a report to rate every Airman, on how they did throughout that year. Personnel are rated from low as 1 to as high as 5. This rating is then used to figure out how many points you will have towards promoting to the next rank. The EPR, is broken down into three sections that an Air Force member must meet or exceed. Those three areas would be: Self Improvement (school, or some type of educational improvement), Job performance, Volunteer. This is where my mentor came in and saved my career.
Four Native Arabic Speakers 09L volunteered for the mission, showing interest to be part of the last unit to leave Iraq after 8 years of operations in the country. At the time, I was freshly promoted Sergeant. Hence, I became the NCO of the native Arabic speakers 09L. The responsibilities were overwhelming. Nevertheless, the superiors never abandoned me to fail as a Noncommissioned Officer. The Noncommissioned Officer Corps is a non-ending cycle of learning, about the welfare and safety of the
Did I make it? That was the question I was asking myself the night before what was going to be one of the most special days of my life. After being called to leave for Air Force Basic Training on a short 8-day notice, I was now finally at the end of my journey and tomorrow I would graduate and become an Airmen. The nerves and excitement were running through my body as I was unable to sleep in anticipation of the big day. Now the day is here and I get to celebrate all my hard work by seeing my family and earning the title of an Air Force Airmen.
It was September 30th 2015 and I was coming off Active Duty Orders working for the Indiana Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. When I went to Joint Forces Headquarters to pick up my DD Form 214, I ran into the Sergeant Major that was in charge of Recruiting and Retention for Indiana. I talked to him a little bit and he asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a recruiter. I told him that I have thought about it, but everyone I knew, told me that I couldn’t handle the stress of being a recruiter. Sergeant Major told me that the excuse I gave him should motivate me even more to be a recruiter. I told him that I would sleep on it and call him in the morning. The next morning, I called Sergeant Major and told him that I was ready to accept the challenge and be a RRNCO (Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer).
Upon the conclusion of a 30-year career in the Navy, the feeling of having more to accomplish is still present. The Navy provided numerous challenging and rewarding opportunities that I desperately needed to excel in this world. Before commencing my military career, as a young man in short supply of confidence, I lacked direction and guidance; however, I found my calling in the United States Navy. Immediately following the decision to enlist, I quickly realized the profound nature of entering the armed forces. Though, a new and extremely challenging lifestyle would forever alter the course of my life. In one swift moment, the Navy had furnished me the confidence and ability to achieve tasks I never thought possible. Consequent, following several
Hello everyone. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 1987, my dad was working for IBM and was given an opportunity to move to United States. After a few months of debating and researching, my parents chose Knoxville as our new home. Four years later, I graduated from high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps. During my four years of service, I traveled from one side of the world to the other and saw and did things many people can’t even imagine. Tough as the work was at times, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything as it shaped my view of the world and, along with my family, became part of the foundation on which I built my life.
After signing up for the U.S. Air force I went off to Basic Military Training in August of 2011 I’ve never been away from Michigan for longer than 2 weeks. Now everything about my life is planned and controlled by my instructor SSgt Ashby a short women with a raspy voice from heavy smoking, of course though it was her job to create pressure in my life to push me to my mental limits to see when I’ll crack
I had the desire to become an Air Force officer since the day that I joined in January 2013. I've always wanted to inspire others using my leadership abilities. Before I decided to enlist I went to school fulltime and volunteered at the VA Hospital. I did this for a couple years before becoming a full time emergency dispatcher, where I actually learned the meaning of stress. I was there for a few years and climbed up the ranks fast. I became a trainer and supervisor in just 7 months. I was in charge of approximately 10 emergency dispatchers and I managed to get an "Atta Boy Award" for a job well done. After three years I got the yearning to serve in the military like my father. Consequently, I decided to marry my high school sweetheart and enlist in the Air Force. I am so grateful to the Air Force because they have given me so much opportunities. I owe the Air Force so much, and I would love to repay them by becoming an officer. To become part of that
Upon learning I was able to leave my enlistment in the Air Force early, I knew it was the
My father has served twenty-two years in the United States Air Force. The Military has undoubtedly had the greatest impact on who I am today. From the moral expectations I cling to, to the way I communicate with my peers. Within the time my father was active-duty we had been moved a seemingly inconceivable amount of times. I was born in
I originally wanted to join the military to defend and protect our country, but realized that it wasn't going to bring the satisfaction I desired. I wanted to fight and defend closer to home, the one that involves Traffic incidents, Drug and DUI enforcement. One Friday afternoon, after getting out of High School, there was a video game tournament being held at a Movie Gallery just a few miles away from where I live. I attended the event and met a cool young man who was 18 years old at the time. I believe I was 16. I talked with him about games and the future tournaments that would be great for the community. It was the beginning of a wonderful new friendship. However, the next day at around 3:00p.m., my dad came into my room and told me he
I’m a United States Navy Sailor. I’ve been blessed to partake in countless experiences that I otherwise would not have enjoyed had I not joined the Navy. I also enjoy reading and researching random subjects that I take an interest in. Needless to say, I’ve acquired a great deal of knowledge of the years, some from observation (skydiving), some from participation (Spanish cuisine), and then a little bit of both (pneumonia).
I went pre-med before getting deployed and as an intern I've seen a lot of horrible things. But when it's your friend... Someone you serve with... It stays with you forever.
As a child who has grown up around the Navy way of life, I have always known that I wanted to serve something higher than just myself. I realized that an average career might focus on just one person — me — and no one else. I would be working to better my career, to make more connections for myself, and to succeed individually. However, a career in the Naval service would involve more than just myself. A career in the Navy is a team effort with all sailors working as a unit for the same goal. My attitude towards becoming selfless changed after learning about the U.S.S. Fitzgerald incident and the heroic actions of Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm, Jr. During the holiday season of 2015, I passed out Christmas cards to sailors aboard the U.S.S. Fitzgerald. I took a tour and personally met with many of the sailors as well. Of all the sailors I met, Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm, Jr. is the only
Ever since I was a child I’ve always dreamed of becoming a football player at the professional level or a collegiate football coach. As time passed, my dreams of becoming a professional football player faded with the thought of a new career path after graduation from high school. Upon graduation from high school, I decided that I would take forth a sacrifice for my country and enlist in the United States military. The year was 2005 and the United States was in the midst of a war on multiple fronts. My service to my country lasted for approximately eight years and ended in May of 2013.