I joined the U. S. Air Force in November of 1992 after graduating high school. After the standard 31 training days of basic I went to tech school at Keesler AFB, MS. My tech school was five months total with the first three months being dedicated to basic electronics and the final two months for system specific knowledge. Our basic electrical training went from simple resistance circuits all the way to basic semiconductor circuits. I was trained as an Aircraft Communications and Navigation System Specialist. As such my responsibilities covered all the radios onboard as well as navigational systems that made use of outside radio signals (such as VOR and TACAN). Basically I worked on anything that sent signals out or received them. While at tech school I was selected as a "rope" (student leader) before I left I was the Assistant Shift Leader. In addition I received numerous awards for Academic Excellence.

After tech school I was stationed at McGuire AFB, NJ. There I was assigned to the 305th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS). We handled all the maintenance on the C-141 Cargo aircraft stationed on McGuire as well as other aircraft passing through needing assistance. During my stay with the AGS I was selected to perform several upgrades on the aircraft to increase functionality. All of us in the squadron were also trained in basic procedures for the aircraft such as fueling and servicing the liquid oxygen. Further, I was one of the squadron's first aid instructors.

In the middle of 1995 I was selected to move to an expanding unit that specialized in deploying to remote airfields, the 621st Air Mobility Control Squadron (AMCS). There I was responsible for taking care of the radio systems, including encrypted satellite systems, as well as the other computer systems in the Mobile Command and Reporting Center (MARC). Shortly after joining the unit I was sent to training to familiarize me with the shelter and to learn about new equipment that was to be installed soon. I received Honor Graduate from the training with the highest grade in the class. During the installation of the improved systems problems with the encryption system were found that no one could repair until I identified an error in the technical manual that was sent. I sent out an update to that error and several other errors in the manual to the other units using the MARC to make their lives easier. While assigned to the AMCS I recived training as an EMT as well as becoming a CPR instructor.

I received numerous Letters of Achievement as well as Letters of Appreciation during my Air Force career. In addition I received an Air Force Achievement Medal for volunteering for the upgrade of several dormitories to make room for an incoming squadron. I was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for my overall service to the Air Force, including preventing a fire onboard an aircraft, and performing numerous fixes on aircraft about to leave for a mission.

All in all I see my experiences in the Air Force as very rewarding. I feel that the Air Force provided me with numerous skills that I still make use of today and that make me very productive and "mission" oriented.