Air Force life for former Soviet officer - Airman's World - 2nd Lt. Chris Sverkounov

Airman, March, 2003 by Carl Bergquist

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- When stories about job changes come up in conversation, it's hard to top 2nd Lt. Chris Sverkounov's story. He went from being a lieutenant in the Soviet "Red" Army to earning a commission in the U.S. Air Force, and has never looked back.

"I'm extremely excited about being an officer again," said Sverkounov, who also said he believes he's the first former Soviet officer to join the ranks of the U.S. military. "I plan to make it my career."

Sverkounov said that in the early 1990s when he was allowed to leave Russia at the end of the Cold War, he headed straight for the United States. Shortly after arriving, he talked with a recruiter and tried to sign up as an officer in the Air Force.

"I was working in Arizona with a guy in real estate who was also an Air Force recruiter, and he said I was a natural for the service," Sverkounov said. "However, because I wasn't a U.S. citizen, I couldn't become an officer."

Nine years later, upon receiving his U.S. citizenship, Sverkounov joined the Air Force.

"Officer Training School was great as I made many friends, learned a lot and became a 'blue-chip' graduate. I really enjoyed it," he said.

Because his Soviet degree in electrical engineering was not accredited in the United States, Sverkounov, 35, could not take advantage of his technical expertise. After eaming his commission, he was assigned to the 48th Services Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, where he is currently assigned.

"When former adversaries can come to the United States, become citizens and defend this nation, you know in your heart this is what freedom really means. This is the true measure of a great nation," said Lt. Col. Richard Anderson, Air and Space Basic Course commandant. Sverkounov was a student at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in November and December of 2002.

In Russia, Sverkounov attended a Soviet military academy and was commissioned as a Soviet Army lieutenant in 1989.

"Sverkounov has had the unique opportunity to personally experience one of this country's greatest ideals, that we are a land of opportunity for everyone," Anderson said. "I truly wish him the best of luck in our Air Force."

"The United States is an unbelievable country," Sverkounov said. "I've traveled to many countries in my life, and nowhere else have I seen opportunities like we have here."