No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

F-35 crew chief soars in pursuit of degree

Bianca Strzalkowski
by Bianca Strzalkowski
October 7, 2019
Senior Airman Colby Cook is a F-35 crew chief in the Air Force Reserve. Photo by  Airman 1st Class Branden Rae.

Senior Airman Colby Cook is a F-35 crew chief in the Air Force Reserve. Photo by Airman 1st Class Branden Rae.

Senior Airman Colby Cook just wrapped up a deployment to Europe and has his sights set on completing another mission: college.

Cook on the flightline at Spangdahlem Air Base. Photo by Airman 1st Class Branden Rae.

The 25-year old Texas native currently serves with the 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He grew up fascinated with planes, pursuing them on- and off-duty. Cook enlisted in the Air Force Reserve four years ago as a way to expand his experience, but not before first accomplishing his private pilot’s license in 2014. He says two moments helped him realize aviation was what he wanted to do.

“Personal side, just because it came first, would be when I was going through the process of getting my license. The first time I ever soloed was probably the most amazing experience I ever had. There’s just so much freedom to it and responsibility that you take on when you first do your solo. The instructors are no longer in the plane and you don’t even have that many hours under your belt, but you know just what to do. That was the moment that I thought, ‘this is the most amazing career you can get into,’” he said. “Then in the Air Force, though I don’t fly in the Air Force, just seeing the smile on their face and talking to the pilots when they get back — I’m the first one that they see when they get back — it kind of sealed the deal of having pilot as my career choice.”

Cook’s father served in the Army, but he did have a family connection to the Air Force. He says he chose that branch because of its “prestigious” nature, though he jokes, “don’t tell my dad that.”

“I’ve just always loved aviation and I felt like that was the best one for that; it kind of represented that the best. That and also my grandpa on my mom’s side, he was actually in the Air Force as well … but I just think having that military background, just having the option of the different branch — not just the Army, helped me decide on that. And I just like the idea of working on aircraft,” Cook said.

Senior Airman Colby Cook. Photo by Airman 1st Class Branden Rae.

In uniform, he works on F-35s as a crew chief and thinks the skills he’s learning may later translate to a civilian career.

“I think just having the knowledge on just the mechanics of an aircraft — a more complex aircraft than obviously what you can fly with your private pilot’s license — I mean that definitely can help out. If I end up going into maintenance for airlines or anything like that, I think that will be a pretty good solid foundation,” he said.

Cook deployed overseas previously to Japan and Italy, and experienced some firsts during his recent deployment with a Theater Security Package in Europe. The off time afforded him the opportunity to visit unique places like Amsterdam and Switzerland, and a first-time tasting the staple dish of borscht. But it wasn’t all work and play because he had homework to focus on for school.

Since 2012, he has attended Utah Valley University on and off, with an anticipated graduation this fall. He made the conscious decision to buckle down and finish the aviation management degree when he realized just how close he was to the finish line.

“I felt like giving myself a deadline and saying, ‘alright I’m 25, it’s time to knock it out and just be done with it and have a bachelor’s degree’ … and I’m getting closer to hitting my fifth year mark in the reserves, I just wanted to make sure I’m taking full advantage of the opportunities that the Air Force gives me with the GI Bill and everything like that,” he said.

He used a mix of tuition assistance and the Montgomery GI Bill to help fund his education, and met with an academic counselor two years into enrollment to “solidify” that he was on the right track.

The recent deployment also helped him put attention on the school commitment, he says.

“I think the fact that your priority is obviously Air Force when you’re going on a deployment … I think the fact that you have more concentration on one aspect of your life versus everything else that happens in your life; it kind of frees up some time as long as you’re not working the whole time that you’re there. So, it kind of depends on the location you’re at,” he said. “Take advantage of every little moment you have to put your head in the books and try and knock out one assignment after another. If you can, try and get ahead before you get out there.”

Visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/education_programs.asp to learn more about education opportunities, to include the Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill.

 

 

 

Read comments
Tags: 419th Fighter WingAir forceAir Force ReserveHill Air Force BaseMontgomery GI BillPost-9/11 GI BillSenior Airman Colby Cook'Spangdahlem Air BaseTheater Security PackageUtah Valley University
Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski has more than 10 years of experience in storytelling. Her portfolio includes interviews with former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis, Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, “Shark Tank” CEO Daymond John, and countless elected and military leaders. Bianca holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and journalism. She resides near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, with her husband and two children. She is a member of the Military Reporters & Editors Association.

Related Posts

Weapons school produces Guard leaders in growing space domain

by AmeriForce Exclusive
4 weeks ago
0
Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan Colon, pictured here as a technical sergeant with the Florida Air National Guard’s 114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, poses in front of space-based equipment at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, June 29, 2022. Colon is the first enlisted Airman in the Air National Guard to graduate from the Space Warfighter Advanced Instructor Course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (U.S. National Guard photo by Orion Oettel)

In the heart of Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base, a select group of Air National Guard members hone their expertise...

Read more

Army National Guard seeks to increase usage of military education benefits

by Crystal Kupper
4 weeks ago
0
Photo courtesy of District of Columbia National Guard

A survey of military members and veterans revealed that more than half joined the armed services for education benefits, but...

Read more

Guardsmen ‘undersell themselves’ in civilian job hunt

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0

An employment program is offering specialized support for the career readiness needs of job seekers from the National Guard. “Members...

Read more

Twin brothers climb enlisted ranks together

by Crystal Kupper
2 months ago
0
Twin brothers at the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Lucas Terry, the unit’s Vehicle Management Superintendent and Chief Master Sgt. Zachary Terry, the unit’s Distribution Superintendent both promote from senior master sergeant to chief master sergeant at their promotion ceremonies on August 6, 2023 in Sioux City, Iowa. Both Lucas Terry and Zachary Terry enlisted at the same time 23 years ago (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Monk).

Chief Master Sgts. Zachary “Zach” Terry and Lucas “Luke” Terry have always done everything as a pair. From their boyhood...

Read more

Army medic receives EMT certification through the military

by Christopher Adams
2 months ago
0
Ambulance standing in night traffic at a motor vehicle accident in early winter, Roseburg Oregon

Spc. Trevor George, who serves in the Minnesota National Guard, trained and served as an Army medic and currently works...

Read more

Security forces awardee credits team for success

by Kari Williams
2 months ago
0
security forces

Capt. Paul Day, who is in security forces, is the 2022 Air Reserve Component Company Grade Officer of the Year.

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2023 Reserve & National Guard by U.S. Military Publishing. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2023 Reserve & National Guard by U.S. Military Publishing. Site by SCBW