I entered service into the United States Air Force on September 1st, 1999. Basic training lasted for six weeks, and after I graduated on Octiber 15th, I was sent to Keesler AFB for training in my career field, designated 3C0X2, which means Comminucations - Computer Systems Programming. The "X" is a placeholder for the member's skill level. You can learn all about that at the Air Force's main website. The image at the right is the pin you receive once you graduate from Tech School. There are two other pins which signify higher skill levels, but I didn't receive them.

When I graduated from Tech School, I was promoted to Airman First Class, or E-3/A1C. I was then sent to Kelly AFB in San Antonio in March of 2000. Kelly closed in July of 2001, but the section of the base where I was working was realigned to Lackland AFB. The area where I was, designated "Security Hill," became known as the Kelly Annex.

Anyway, when I arrived on station, I was assigned to a unit called the AFIWC, the Air Force Information Warfare Center. I was assigned to the Information Operations Directorate as a computer programmer. A fun time was had by all. Especially in August of 2005, where my Directorate took on the Basic Training area's Confidence Course. It was kind of fun. In fact, if you read this article, the Airmen quoted were actually in my office.

In September of 2003, I had learned that I was selected to deploy to Kirkuk, Iraq, beginning November 1, 2003. My tour of duty was from 01NOV03 to 16MAR04. Only four months, but they weren't all that pleasant. On the other hand, they weren't totally dreadful, either. In the picture on the left, the guy in the front row on the right was probably the coolest guy there. His name is Ahmed Salihr. He spoke English pretty well, and we joked with each other constantly. He even taught me a few Arabic words.