Former member earns Navy commission

  • Published
  • By Ensign Kristin
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  December 23, 2009, just hours before Christmas, I was sworn in as Ensign of the United States Navy Reserve through their Direct Commissioning Officer program.

This was one of the greatest accomplishments and happiest days of my life.

But also a bittersweet moment because I knew at the same time I was leaving my Air Force family and the familiarity I've enjoyed from being an Airman for almost as long as I can remember (since I was born I think) but excited beyond words to have finally achieve my lifelong goal of being a commissioned officer in the United States military.

It's been an honor to serve in the Air Force for almost two decades. I've traveled to so many places and met the most sincere and humble people while accomplishing the greatest mission in the world; I've completed my education completely paid for through the Service.
 
My Air Force Career was basically everything my recruiter promised but much, much more than I could have ever imagined. And if someone would have told me I would have made it this long in the service when I joined at 19, I probably would have laughed and reminded them I was only on the four year enlistment plan.

Many years and experience later I'm now moving on to the next phase of my military career with the greatest feeling of accomplishment and pride that a job could have ever provide. This pride was evident recently when driving through the front gates of Naval Air
Station Joint Reserve Base for the first time as an officer. The guards at the gate didn't know my new rank, because I had not in processed there and been issued and ID card yet, but the feeling emanating from inside may have said it all.

I've had a long, satisfying Air Force career, first active duty for three years, followed by fifteen years of Reserve time. My first accomplishment since joining was earning Airman below-the-zone, achieving rank six months earlier than most Airmen. I have since continued with the perseverance to set and accomplish all of my goals. I have been in public affairs since 2001 and a graduate of the Defense Information School's basic and intermediate courses, completed two Community College of the Air Force degrees, Noncommissioned Officer academy and most recently a Leadership Development
Course through Central Texas College, supported by the USAFR.

The primary reason for the time lapse in applying for an officer position in the military is the time it took me to complete my college degree from working full-time during college
while simultaneously serving in the Air Force Reserve.  Because of these commitments,
I was only available to go to school part-time and it took several years to complete my
Bachelor's degree as a result.

But I certainly could not have accomplished this goal without the help and support of my friends, family and mentors. When I first completed my degree in Business and Management at the University of Redland in California in 2003, I was stationed at March
Air Reserve Base, CA.

Major Donald Traud recommended me for a commission and after applying and meeting the board I was selected 9 Feb 04 for an officer position with the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. Unfortunately, I had to turn it down because my son and his dad were moving to Texas and I had to follow to maintain adequate family support to even be able to participate in the Reserve.

When I arrived to Texas, I reported to the 301st Fighter Wing NAS JRB Fort Worth, Tx, in 2004, as a Staff Sergeant and realized I would need to prove myself over again. This is
especially difficult in a smaller wing, but I stayed focused and continue with my goals. Fortunately, I had another supportive PAO, Major Karl Lewis. When he first came to our shop he sat me down and asked me what my career goals were.

I told him I wanted to be an officer and from that day forward he supported me. He was so confident in my abilities both himself and Col. (now Brigadier General at HQ AFRC) Pottinger submitted me for a commission even though I was past the Air Force age
limit of 35.  Because of my age, the Air Force Reserve denied the request, but the fact that I was submitted was enough to fuel me with the confidence to continue my quest.
Through my life's twists and turns I accepted a sales manager position with Office Depot and moved to Oklahoma.

This job was not only a huge civilian career progression for me, but also gave me the opportunity to work for the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. When I arrived at the public affairs office in Sept 08, Lt Col Richard Curry, the Public Affairs Officer, asked me what my goals were. I told him I wanted to be an officer. He said he would support me in whatever I chose, but with the age factor I may want to look at being a first sergeant.

I realized my age in relation to a commission was definitely a factor at this point in my life and decided to try two other avenues before throwing in the towel completely. I contacted both the Army and Navy Reserve. The Army was anxious and called me in for an interview, but I felt it just wasn't the place for me.

The Navy, on the other hand, took a while to get back with me, but I finally received a call from Lieutenant Commander Sharon Chan, from Navy Officer Recruiting Station Oklahoma City. I provided her my resume and experience and she explained becoming an officer in the Navy Reserve was extremely difficult but she would put my package in for me if I could have it ready in three weeks. Wow three weeks to get what seemed about 200 pages prepared, including five character references, a full length photo and interviews with three Naval officers in Texas.

This wasn't easy, but I knew the stakes were high and I could do it. I was literally working
day and night throughout the three weeks to knock this process out. I could never have done it without the support and encouragement of Lt. Col. Curry though. He was there every single step of the way- through signatures, recommendation letters, faxes, emails, EPRS, full-length photos, you name it.

The process was so detailed and intense I would never have completed it without his help. But I did and I believe I was candidate number thirty-two in the stack of Navy Reserve Public Affairs Commissioning board applicants. Just hoping, resting and anxiously awaiting to hear the selection results.  My recruiter kindly announced my selection several weeks later, I was one of the ten selected from the board. It seemed
like forever to hear the confirmation, but since then with all of the follow up paperwork, job change, and move and having to revisit the MEPS process with a bunch of recent high school graduates in Dallas makes the rest seem history.

This accomplishment proves that if you set your mind to a goal in life and live every day with the goal in mind, work hard at every moment possible your goals will become reality. I owe a lot to Lt Col Curry, Colonel Glass, and Colonel Mahon for their continued unwavering support to help fuel me on to my next mission, even if it meant losing a great Airman. I also owe the rest of the wonderful folks at the 507th ARW and other Air Force Reserve Wings who supported me just as though I was family.

I believe one of the greatest perceptions in life is acknowledging where you've been in order to appreciate where you are going in life. I definitely have the luxury of both and will
continue to press on with this synergy from Air to Sea Power!