Short hitch or long haul: work experiences help Airman decide to stay in Air Force

Airman, Dec, 2004 by Carie A. Parker

At 19, Airman Quincy Boggan decided to join the Air Force for educational benefits and to get some direction in his life.

A military "brat," he was kind of lost after graduating from high school.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do for a living," he said.

But his father was there to help. After four years in the Air Force, the elder Boggan had switched to a career in the Army. Still, dad recommended his son join the Air Force.

When Airman Boggan looked into joining a service, he wasn't sure he wanted to commit four or six years to the military. So when his recruiter told him about the 15-month enlistment option, he was sold.

"That way, if I didn't like it I could get out and still have the G.I. Bill," Airman Boggan said.

At Pope Air Force Base, N.C., he found his job as an air transportation apprentice with the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron gave him the chance to be involved in many aspects of the Air Force's vast airlift mission.

"We don't fly, but we have a part in everything that does," he said. "Without us, nothing gets where it needs to be."

Much like a civilian airport employee, Airman Boggan loads and unloads transport airplanes. He said the biggest difference is that he wears a uniform. He likes the sense of accomplishment that comes with a busy day on the flightline.

"When everything's done and I watch the plane take off, I know it was done right," he said.

But working homecoming aircraft puts things in perspective for the now 20-year-old Airman. The transportation troops are the last people the aircrews see before leaving and the first they see when they return home.

"Knowing that people appreciate seeing us 'red hats' is the best part of my job. We remind them of home," Airman Boggan said.

Now, about a year into his enlistment, he's interested in sticking around. And much like those he's welcomed home, he'll get to do his time in the "desert" with other fellow red hats.

"We'll see how my deployment goes," he said. "But I plan on re-enlisting for four years. And I hope to start college when I get back."

As for direction, the Airman seems to have found that, too. When living at home in Woodbridge, Va., his parents took care of everything, from food to funding. Although they still live only a few hours up the road, he now faces the extra challenges and responsibilities that are part of living on his own.

"Now if I have car trouble, I can't just run to daddy and have him fix it," he said. "I have to budget my money, pay my bills on time and take care of my own stuff."

Even his parents noticed the change in their son. Especially when he goes home for a visit.

"My mom was shocked to see that I leave my room just the way it was when I got there," Airman Boggan said. "She doesn't have to ask me to make my bed like when I lived there."

In the past year, with the Air Force's help, he grew from a teenager to an independent adult. Airman Boggan expanded his horizons and is gaining a clear vision of what his future holds.

"The way I look at it," he said. "If you're like me and you're not sure what you want to do for a living, this is a great opportunity."

Career Field Facts

2T2X1--Air transportation

Assigned: 4,676

Duties: Performs and manages air transportation activities. Plans, schedules and processes eligible air cargo passengers and mail. Loads and unloads aircraft. Prepares and maintains air movement records and reports. Performs aircraft fleet services.

Civilian application: Aircraft cargo handler and transportation attendant.

Airman Quincy A. Boggan

Air transportation apprentice, 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Years in Air Force: 14 months

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.

Reason for joining: "I joined for the benefits. I want to at least get my associate's degree and get started on my bachelor's degree while in the military."

Assignments: Pope.

Coming up: "I head out for my first deployment in September. "I'm working on my CDCs [career development courses], and then I'm going to start college. In May 2005, I plan on re-enlisting for four years."

Best thing about the job: "The people I work with are unique personalities. I get a lot of advice from people who've been in for a while. It gives me a broad outlook on what I want to do my future."