Almost two years ago, the Air Force Personnel Center officially approved my separation package, marking a significant milestone in my life. Woah...I can't believe I'm finally free! When I reflect back on that moment, it honestly felt surreal. It's a big deal to leave the structured life of military service - and all that it entails - and, looking back, I was standing on the precipice of a new beginning.
Below are a few snapshots of my time at the Academy!
My last day in uniform was 23 May 2023.
The date will always hold a special significance. Of course, it was my last day in uniform, but it also was the exact five-year anniversary of my graduation from the US Air Force Academy and about nine years since I first joined the military.
The journey that brought me to this point was filled with challenges, growth, and incredible experiences. Aside from a world-class education where I learned about English, philosophy, mathematics, and engineering, I also got the chance to fly a plane, sky dive unassisted, and soar in gliders.
But what made that moment special - from that day forward - was that, for the first time in my adult life, I was a free man. I had been liberated from the constraints of military obligations and the rigid lifestyle that had defined my existence for so long. Or so the thinking goes…
The truth is, even when you leave the military, you never actually leave it. Initially, the idea of freedom is exhilarating. You get this sense of uncertainty and apprehension about what lies ahead and it can be exciting at times. Also, its true that transitioning from a life of service to civilian life in the private sector is more than a change of scenery; it is a profound shift in identity and purpose. But you are still you.
When I first toured the Air Force Academy, I was just an 11th-grader navigating the complexities of boarding school life.
My dream of attending a military institution was sparked by my passion for wrestling, a sport that demanded not only physical prowess but also a commitment to excellence, a strict diet, and making smart moves. Looking back, it was clear that the discipline and resilience I developed through wrestling laid the foundation for my future endeavors. And I imagine the same is true for a number of my classmates at the Zoo.
So, when I arrived in Colorado Springs and spent a week immersed in the Summer Seminar program—a unique and intensive experience tailored for rising high school seniors aspiring to join the Air Force Academy—I felt an immediate connection. The program provided a glimpse into the core values and mission of the Air Force, and I was captivated by the opportunity to serve something greater than myself. Frankly, I loved everything about my visit.
The campus was nothing short of breathtaking. The contrast between the 1950s and 60s architecture which had very low, boxy shapes contrasted with the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Truly, the school was nestled at the foothills of the Rocky mountaintops. We were all wanted to be here and serve the country. If we were lucky enough to get in, we had a chance to be the future of this great nation's Air and later Space Force. There was nothing I wanted more than to be one of them.
Fast forward one year, and I vividly recall the intense preparation that lead up to my Congressional interviews - with then Congressman Van Hollen (now Senator) and the two Senators representing Maryland (Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Barbara Mikulski).
Without my mom, I would have never been able to gain admission to the schools. She drilled interview questions to help me hone my responses, and drove me around all across Maryland - from Rockville to the Inner Harbor. She did all these despite her personal reservations about military life, the fact that her brother had passed away in a single-engine plane crash, and my aspirations for something more, something different from the prototypical college experience.
Even then, I knew that those conversations were invaluable. They shaped my understanding of the commitment I was about to undertake, and the oath I was about to give my allegiance to - the Constitution. It's not something that should be taken lightly, and the words of protecting the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic require an ironclad devotion to the true, rule of law.
For whatever reason—be it chance, desire, or fate—I successfully matriculated to the Academy.
I had gotten the phone call in the dormitory at Phillips Exeter Academy. I had stepped out of the shower and was still wearing a towel around my waist, and upon finding out that I was accepted I screamed and dropped everything! Slowly, I regained composure and thanked the representative from Rep. Van Hollen's office profusely. I tripped over my own words. It finally happened. I couldn't believe it.
Little did I know, this was the start of my journey.
The first summer I spent there was dedicated to Basic Cadet Training, a rigorous multi-month initiation process designed to instill the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. By far, it was one of the most grueling experiences physically, comparable to my summers at JRob's Intensive Wrestling Camps at Minnesota - but it was equally transformative. Later that summer, I stood at Parade Rest and earned an opportunity to join the Cadet Wing.
My first year was spent grappling the challenges of military life. I was not a multi-generational Academy guy, and my parents were career military. Everything I experienced was new - I was the first in my family to do what I was doing. So were many others.
I remember often feeling a sense of general misery interspersed with moments of joy and camaraderie shared with my classmates. If I had to characterize my time at the Academy, that was the general vibe. But those moments of joy made it all worth it.
In the Spring of my Four Degree year, we were "Recognized". It was a pivotal moment that marked our transition from Basic Cadets to fully-fledged cadets, and my outlook on life at the Academy - and my standing in the community - improved commensurately. No longer did I have to hold my backpack in my left hand or pretend to greet upperclass cadets with gusto and feigned happiness. No, I was a person once more.
But the funny thing is about a pyramid is that I was still at the bottom. And the challenges of military preparedness and general newness were replaced in our sophomore year from mere survival to a Squid Games-like pursuit of academic excellence.
Picking the right academic major felt all encompassing. You'd hear stories of the pros and cons of majors. But what most Cadets didn't know is that the major you pick influences the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or job that you would likely get on graduation.
Originally, I had planned to do a Computer Engineering degree or Electrical Engineering degree. However, I ultimately decided against the major to spend more time diving into the leadership opportunities. In order to free myself up further, I ended up exploring various interests, such as History (where I got a first place prize in my freshman year) and was tempted by English, before finding my niche in economics.
I want to say there was a practical undertone to picking a major like economics, and I felt most connected with other friends in that major. At the time, it seemed that the macro-economic environment was standardized for corporations, and learning the major would allow me to better understand the world. In essence, I thought it helped teach systems thinking for the social science crowd.
By the time junior year rolled around, my friends and I started getting into leadership roles. We had a responsibility to guide our peers, which is a bit comical looking back.
Let me know which vignette you enjoyed the most!
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