I hope this doesn't come off as bragging but, I wanted to share with you guys anyway. This last year has probably been one of the most intense times of my life this far. As of yesterday I am officially a Rated Pilot in the USAF. It has been a dream of mine since childhood and always thought it would just be that, a dream. Financially, I wasn't even sure if a degree would be possible when graduating high school. I ended up enlisting in the WVAng and spent a wonderful 10 years as a flying Crew Chief on the C5 for the most of it. I was coming close to the cutoff age of 30 to be a pilot and decided to go all in. I finished my degree, got my private, and got a slot with my home unit. Obviously, no enlisted pilots in the Air Force so I was off to get commissioned. That was kinda like a mini basic training again way easier. Pilot training was a different beast. The program is long and demanding. The flying can be really fun but they like to induce stress which often, well sucks. It's hard to wrap a couple years into a paragraph so I'm gonna stop rambling. If anyone has any questions on the process feel free to ask. One thing that I have learned is to never believe you can't do something. Chase your dreams to the grave. I'm so ready to get home and pull the old Maule out of storage.

Well done, and thanks for your service. Enjoy some non-precision time in the Maule, you earned it.

Congrats on winning your wings! It is a tough road. Some folks seem to travel it easily, others have more obstacles to overcome. I figure its a test of character... gotta have that to stick it out! In the interest of full disclosure I started UPT on the day I turned 27.5... which was the cutoff at the time. So I appreciate the road you've traveled!

Enjoy every minute!

gunny

Definitely not bragging! You have achieved something very commendable and worthy of great praise. Something which I missed the window for years ago and still regret not following.

Congratulations to you in the highest regards!

Congratulations

Congratulations Trebor! I just wish we still lived nearby so I could hear more of your stories and do some local hops with you. We never got a chance to fly our Maules anywhere together. Sigh. Our flight back to the west coast was a blast, and we're getting familiar with some of the interesting strips in Washington State. If your dreams ever lead you and your plane this way, we'd love to show you around. I still get back to the DC area occasionally for work, and to see our son. I'll give you a call if we're back there on a clear weekend day and maybe I can talk you into taking me up in your plane. Have the C-117s started showing up at KMRB? Say hi to your folks for me!

Congrats dude! You gonna be flying Fred there where you were enlisted? The C-5 was my first bird , I was at Dover long ago. Now I'm just a grumpy retired guy!

Awesome!

Congrats!!

MUSTANG OFFICERS RULE!!
DENNY

Congrats! The Guard belongs. My best friend was a medic in my unit and a good soldier. We got him a slot in the Warrant Officer Pilot program back when the Army Guard didn't get many. Don't let that RLO (Real Live Officer) stuff go to your head. We always have to take care of the troops.

Awesome! Congrats man. Congrats...

I really appreciate all the kind words guys. I have definitely learned a lot in the past year. Looking forward to c17 school next. Hope to really get back into the Maule mid summer. It's a whole different type of flying that many guys just don't understand. I'll take the low and slow any day over FL Whatever, unless I'm trying to get somewhere hah. Thanks again.

AMS or OTS....I got commissioned at AMS (Academy of Military Science) The Guard academy. 42 days of Heck....and the last day was a half day. No college degree either. The Guard is the way to go. Congrats on UPT.

Jake

Congrats Trebor! Landed at Richey Talbott's last week when he and his son Louie were using your strip for practice! See you this summer.
Jim

How do you know who the pilot is in the bar?.....Don't worry, He'll tell you. Toot Away, you are doing well. Good luck!

Cool, man, that's quite an accomplishment. Congrats.

Congratulations! Nice when hard work pays off!

Congrats and thanks for serving.

Congrats Trebor! Thats quite an accomplishment, and a dream that i also had as a child. I cant wait for you to get back to West by God so we can celebrate with some local flights!

I have been wanting to come check out the eastern panhandle, and a visit to you would get me there. Of course you are always welcome here as well.

I would also like to say, thank you for your service!