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Retirement X2!
Well, I decided to hang-up my Air Force uniform after nearly 41 years of service. On a Friday in May of 2003 I ended my 24-year active duty career and the following Monday I transitioned into my new job as the Air Force Junior ROTC Senior Aerospace Instructor at Cedar Hill High School TX…a high school teacher.
Wow…what a shift and a great challenge. Now I was responsible for 14-18-year-old kids/young adults and it was, without a doubt, one of the most important and difficult responsibilities that I ever had in my life. That’s after being in charge of multi-million-dollar weapon systems and thousands of personnel!
As I reflect over the past 17 years as a Junior ROTC Instructor I find myself surrounded by the countless memories of my students (most black and brown) looking for the guidance of a mentor and, in many instances, a father figure. Many were fostered, some with family members imprisoned, and some were abused, but most were just inquisitive teenagers trying to find their path in life. I gladly accepted the surrogate role and towards the end of my career several of my students affectionately referred to me as Dad, Papa, Grandpa, and the Old Guy!
I was recently surprised when a number of my former students from 17-10 year past (now military officers and enlisted, entrepreneurs, professionals, educators, and more) came to see me off and to wish me luck in my retirement. It was a heartwarming moment that I will never forget. I genuinely love and will miss working with high schoolers’ (even the ones that were real pains😈) and I’m humbled and pleased to know that perhaps I made a difference in their lives!
First of All...Servants of All...We shall Transcend All!