To make a long story...long - good bye. This will be the longest post I have made so bear with me. I never wanted to be a recruiter. It always seemed like a job that was too far out of my comfort zone. I heard horror stories of the training and wrote it off as something I would never do. But I was presented with the opportunity around 3 years ago to become a recruiter and I accepted. My wife, knowing my introverted personality and social awkwardness, was little worried for me, to say the least. I went to the Air Force Recruiter School and made it through the DIFFICULT training. I was still super nervous about what laid ahead of me though. But once I sat at my desk and began to talk to people about the Air Force, I realized that this is the easiest job that I ever could have done. All I had to do was talk to people about the Air Force! The Air Force has been so awesome to me! Ive gotten so much out of it. I grew up in the Air Force. I joined as a timid kid from Tennessee and have now done things I never imagined I could ever do. I honestly dont know where Id be if I hadnt joined the Air Force 12 and a half years ago. When I look back I see all these instances where the Air Force was there for me when I needed it. Those are the same instances that I share with people who come to talk to me about the Air Force. The same instances that will always have a lasting impact on my life. Here are a few of them: Id say that I was pretty poor when I signed up for the Air Force. I signed up because of 9/11 but at the time I didnt have rent money and most of my meals consisted of spaghetti noodles - not spaghetti, just the noodles. I actually would wrongfully appropriate (not steal) toilet paper from MTSU. Obviously, that was a difficult time for me, but the Air Force changed that. They gave me income - good income - and allowed me to take care of myself. I had food, a place to live, and money for gas. I vowed to never go to college after I joined the Air Force. I didnt care that the Air Force paid tuition. I was mad at the system and how they gouged families for tuition. I was the only person in my training who didnt say they were going to college. BUT, I gave in and decided to anyway. Now, I have 4 AAs, 1 BS, and 1 MS - all without student loan debt! Another way the Air Force took care of me. They made me smarter and gave me options after the Air Force. I have lots of stories about medical situations. This is by far the best way the Air Force has taken care of me. I had back surgery in 2010. I didnt pay a single bill and I missed 6 weeks of work, but I never missed a pay check. My oldest son requires treatment every 8 weeks that is $10k a visit. I dont pay anything for it and am allowed off work (paid) to take him to his visits. Most importantly - I found out that my wife had cancer when I was in Afghanistan in 2011. I was flown home the next day without hesitation, spent the next 4 weeks with my wife as she recovered (paid) and my unit supported me the entire time with encouragement, meals, etc. Small things - 30 days of paid vacation a year, comradery with my friends, ability to travel, HUGE sense of pride in wearing the Air Force uniform and serving our country. The point of all of this is this: I was notified today that I am being medically retired from the Air Force. This process has been going on for the past few months but just became official today. It means that soon Ill be retired from the Air Force. Its the same as a normal retirement, but just for medical reasons. I never imagined what my life would actually be like without the Air Force in it, and now I dont have to. I may not be physically able to serve anymore, but the Air Force once again is taking care of me by providing me with the opportunity to retire. Im sad that soon I wont be buttoning up my uniform and putting on my boots. Angie will miss me showing up to her work in my blues. The kids will miss me showing up to their school in uniform. But Im forever thankful for what the Air Force has done for me and my family and I hope that Ive given it enough in return. Ive met so many people in the Air Force that I never would have if I hadnt joined. As a recruiter, Ive met so many great families that are just now learning about how great the Air Force can be. I will miss this. Angie and the kids will miss this. But, Ill always be Air Force Retired - Ill even get me a bumper sticker. Thank you to everyone who has made my years as a recruiter and in the Air Force special. Ill be in and out of the office for a few weeks until its official, but TSgt McKenzie will be taking over my area. Thank you, TSgt King P.S. Ill leave you beginning and end pics.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:20:14 +0000
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