Hello:
I am a 28-year-old aspiring pilot with a large aviation background; unfortunately, none of my aviation experience has been by flying but by maintenance, instead. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 2004 and worked on the F-15 E as an Aircraft Armament Technician, but I knew I wanted more for myself and left the military in 2008. I then accepted a job offer working for a contracting company in Iraq. My job consisted of refueling many rotary and fixed wing aircraft, but soon found myself with no job since many U.S. military bases closed due to troops returning back home or heading next door to Afghanistan. After close to three years, I returned home to my beautiful family and attend school full-time. While in Iraq, I met a pilot whom had been furloughed--unfortunately--and decided to fuel planes because the income would closely mirror that of his last job. It was hard for him, but he never gave up, as he consistently looked for other job opportunities. Because of him, I now know for a FACT I want to become a pilot. I have six classes remaining before I transfer out to Lewis University and continue my path in becoming a pilot!