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Enlisted accessions recruiter earns his wings

  • Published
  • By Linda K. Garza
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Master Sgt. Chad Tanner has been a member of Air Force Recruiting Service for 12 years. He began his Air Force career as an Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, assigned to the RC-135 aircraft, and cross-trained in 2003 into recruiting after three years of working with the RC-135. Tanner knew what direction he wanted to take his maturing Air Force career, but he also knew he was far from finished with the aviation career field.

In selecting a new career, Tanner longed for the ability to help people -- remembering how his own recruiter back in Palm Beach, Florida, went above and beyond to get him enlisted in the Air Force.

"I wouldn't have a lot of things that I do, if it wasn't for my recruiter doing the things he did for me," Tanner said.    

Tanner said he thought it was a good opportunity to go back and find kids like him who didn't have many options due to financial constraints or have the resources for college, and help them realize their future potential, just as his recruiter did for him. 

While rising through the enlisted ranks as a recruiting flight chief to his selected position at Headquarters AFRS as the event marketing NCO, Tanner simultaneously pursued the requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Agency to obtain his Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

The ATP Certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot license administered by the FAA, and is a culmination of a written, oral and practical exam that usually takes about one week to complete. The exam is overseen by the FAA, using scenario-based presentations to test the student's knowledge on emergency procedures such as flying the aircraft in the worst weather conditions, simulated fires and highjacking situations.   

Tanner began chasing his ATP certificate about 10 years ago. The ATP certificate is not available to just anyone. To meet eligibility requirements for applying and taking the examination, one must already have their Commercial Pilot License, obtain an Instrument Rating and a Multiengine Rating, and build 1,500 hours of flying time. 

Focused and determined, Tanner sought out opportunities such as flight instructing, towing banner advertisements, or escorting sky divers in his quest to meet the 1,500-hour flying requirement. This meant often giving up leisure time with family and friends.

"I've always had a love or passion for aviation, with a dream to fly for the airlines, since I was a small child, about 7 or 8 years old," Tanner said.

Tanner said one of his earliest memories is looking over the fence at the airport, dreaming that one day he would not just be looking at the airplanes, but flying them. 

In addition to getting the ATP certificate, Tanner also needed to earn a bachelor's degree in aviation, a prerequisite for flying for commercial airlines in the United States. 

"It always seemed like a goal that was unattainable; the road was extremely difficult and long to get to the point of flying for the airlines," Tanner said. "However, 10 years later, through a lot of education, training and money, it became possible and could be done."

While it may be common for Air Force pilots to make the transition to a commercial airline, it is considered rare for an enlisted person to do so, as flying aircraft is not an inherent skill or function in an enlisted person's career. 

Col. Robert Ament, the Mobilization Assistant to the AFRS commander, knows this firsthand. When not serving as an Air Force Reservist, Ament is a commercial airline pilot for American Airlines. He took notice when he learned of Tanner's journey and achievement in earning his ATP Certificate. 

"There is no doubt that Master Sgt. Tanner's achievement is absolutely magnanimous," Ament said.  "He has achieved something outside of his primary duties at AFRS that is an amazing achievement within the character of doing his full time work with the Air Force."

Tanner used Air Force tuition assistance in his pursuit, which he maxed out every year for four years. When those benefits were exhausted, Tanner used his Montgomery G.I. Bill entitlement, as well as his Post 9/11 flight training benefit. Although Tanner's service benefits financed a large portion of his education quest, he also incurred personal loans to reach his ultimate goal. Tanner also credits his mentor, Maj. Frank Saul, for helping him achieve his dream.

"A good pilot is always learning. I took that to heart - there is always something you can read," Tanner said. "I would fly airplanes for free if I had to. If you do what you love for a living, you never have to work a day in your life."

Tanner plans to finish his active duty commitment and retire from his Air Force at 20 years, and hopes to get a position as a first officer with a regional airline.

"It's the best office view anyone can have," Tanner said. "No room for mistakes, you have to be your best every single time - no room for a bad day - just perform. "The reward is at the end of the flight when you come out of the clouds and land the plane."