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22 June 3, 2016 Desert Lightning News
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Face of Defense: Airman finds his life’sFacebook.com/DesertLightningNews direction as maintainer
doing what I had been doing and cut grass for him for a few dollars, or
Air Force Senior Airman Amber Carter I could have a future for myself and the family I would one day have.”
60th Air Mobility Wing New Beginning
Cole went with Taborn to the recruiter’s office and found a new
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Reasons for joining the Air lease on life.
Force are varied. For some, it’s for the benefits, such as job security, “I am responsible for troubleshooting aircraft discrepancies, re-
higher education and medical coverage. For others, joining is more pairing and inspecting all aircraft communication and navigation
personal and could be for reasons that involve patriotism or follow- systems on 27 KC-10A aircraft valued at over $2.3 billion,” Cole said.
ing in the footsteps of a family member. “My favorite part of the job is training new individuals on trouble-
shooting procedures. Doing that equips them for their job and en-
No matter the reason, it is a life-changing event. ables mission success. Long after I am gone and they forget my name,
For Air Force Staff Sgt. Terrell Cole, a 660th Aircraft Maintenance the information will be there for them to use and build upon.”
Squadron communication/navigation mission system craftsman, join- After eight and half years of service, Cole has a wife, two sons and
ing the Air Force meant a future for himself and his future family. an Air Force family.
Rocky Start “I met him through the chapel when he first arrived fresh from
“I joined the military because of my rocky start at adult life,” Cole training,” said Marie Ruff, Travis Youth Center child program tech-
said. “When I was 18, I proudly left for college with big dreams, but nician and a friend of Cole’s. “He’s a great guy and he is an awesome
while I was there, I did not manage my own priorities half as well as volunteer. We go to chapel together and he volunteers weekly with
I managed the issues of others, and I ended up failing out of school us. He’s my friend and my brother.
within my first year.” “I have had the opportunity to watch him grow from a new air-
He added, “I was too proud, ashamed and foolish to go home, so man to an amazing husband and father,” she continued. “It’s been a
I spent the better part of a year jobless, sleeping in my car and [in] blessing.”
empty apartments or the homes of whoever would allow me to stay.” Cole said he has big plans for his future.
Cole came up with creative ways to survive. “I ended up playing “My future goals include finishing my degree, commissioning and
music and singing for different churches for food,” he said. “I also to be an example of the man I pray daily my sons grow to become,”
donated plasma for money,” he said. he said.
When he finally decided to return home, he said, a friend named
Elmer Taborn suggested that he research the military.
“I was hesitant,” Cole said. “But he put it simply: I could continue
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