2 Years

Today is my 2nd Air Force anniversary. On this day two years ago I got on a plane, got off a plane, rounded a corner, met my first Military Training Instructor, thought "what the hell did I get myself into?", and started a new life, career and journey.

Here are some things I've done in the past two years:


Raised my hand and repeated the following:

I, Derek Rose, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Completed basic training, received a small coin that represented my hard work from the past month and a half. Some people actually enjoy the experience, I did not. It is much easier to look back on it and only remember the easy or good times, and forget the bad. It's nice that memory frequently works that way. Some bad things at the time have become good memories though, like going through the gas chamber. Doing jumping jacks in a room full of tear gas doesn't sound fun, but looking back on it it's nice to remember.


Completed tech school. This is where I learned my actual job and transitioned from the insane environment of basic training back to real life. Was happy to learn that the Air Force doesn't make you fold your clothes that way forever.


Got re-married to my sweetie-face on the beach with three guests and a minister. Went out for french toast after. Good day.

Went back home and got to see family and friends and the recruiter that brought me into the military. On the way, in the airport, noticed a group of lost looking kids carrying a brown manila envelope much like the one I had taken to basic training a couple of months previously, and smiled to myself.

Arrived at my first duty station, met "real" Air Force people and breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't going to be like basic training or tech school forever.

Found out I couldn't even enter the building where I would work until I got my full security clearance, was assigned to the Protocol office, which basically handles the events involving distinguished visitors such as Generals, high-ranking civilian government officials, etc.

Unfurled a giant American flag at a Colorado Rockies baseball game in uniform in front of thousands of people.

Provided security at a giant music festival and a Denver Broncos game to raise money for organizations on base. Got to sit right next to the field and watch the game, which was very cool even though I don't care about football.


Provided security and assistance with a visit from the then-President of the USA, George Bush. Saw Air Force One, hung out with Secret Service Agents, got one of their special pins, saw George Bush as he scurried from his car to the plane and gave a weak wave to the crowd of 300 military members standing outside freezing for a chance to shake his hand. Got a box of special Air Force One M&Ms candies.

Spent a week learning to be an income-tax preparer for military personnel, helped process almost a million dollars of tax returns for people at my base. Also manned a helpline for the local news station answering tax questions to represent the military. Learned that IRS agents have a weird sense of humor, if any at all.

Completed eight college classes and one CLEP, all completely free and paid for by the military.

Finally got my security clearance and went through a couple more months of training before finally doing my job.

Did my job.

During a timed test for my monthly job training, received a call asking me if I wanted to go to Iraq. Called my wife, got the go-ahead, called him back, accepted, finished my test.


And the rest has been written on this blog.