2008 Woodie Awards
Society of Veterans spotlight graduating servicemen
Brian Verslues
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Forum
To honor those who serve, I decided to interview two graduating veterans: seniors David VanBebber and Benjamin Stephens.
First interview: David VanBebber.
What led you to join the service?
"It is something that I always wanted to do but put off doing. I thought it was a shame that I was so able to serve and didn't. Additionally, I felt and have always felt that military service is one of the most admirable things that one can do. It opens the door to truly serve at a level that many other things do not."
What branch do you serve in?
"Army Reserves."
How long do you plan on remaining in the service?
"I have three years left on my contract, and once I am done with that, I will leave. I feel that a six year commitment is enough."
What is your job in the service?
"I am a flight operations specialist."
What does your job entail?
"I basically chart aircraft movement schedule flights, check flight plans, call in flights to flight services, make sure air-craft are getting the necessary maintenance. I also make sure pilots are getting their hours recorded and that they know about the airport that they are scheduled to land at."
If you had to do it all over again, would you? "Yes. It has not always been a fun thing, and at times it has caused me some real turmoil but it has helped me to develop a confidence in myself and has demanded that I trust God."
If you could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be? "I think that I would have joined sooner, like right after 9/11 and gone active duty Marines They're pretty tough."
Have you been overseas?
"I have never been deployed, and that has been a blessing but I will be ready when the time comes to go. I may not want to go, but I will because that is the commitment I made to my fellow soldiers."
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
"Ft. Rucker, Ala. was pretty cool. It is the home of Army Aviation."
What was the most memorable experience you had while in the service?
First interview: David VanBebber.
What led you to join the service?
"It is something that I always wanted to do but put off doing. I thought it was a shame that I was so able to serve and didn't. Additionally, I felt and have always felt that military service is one of the most admirable things that one can do. It opens the door to truly serve at a level that many other things do not."
What branch do you serve in?
"Army Reserves."
How long do you plan on remaining in the service?
"I have three years left on my contract, and once I am done with that, I will leave. I feel that a six year commitment is enough."
What is your job in the service?
"I am a flight operations specialist."
What does your job entail?
"I basically chart aircraft movement schedule flights, check flight plans, call in flights to flight services, make sure air-craft are getting the necessary maintenance. I also make sure pilots are getting their hours recorded and that they know about the airport that they are scheduled to land at."
If you had to do it all over again, would you? "Yes. It has not always been a fun thing, and at times it has caused me some real turmoil but it has helped me to develop a confidence in myself and has demanded that I trust God."
If you could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be? "I think that I would have joined sooner, like right after 9/11 and gone active duty Marines They're pretty tough."
Have you been overseas?
"I have never been deployed, and that has been a blessing but I will be ready when the time comes to go. I may not want to go, but I will because that is the commitment I made to my fellow soldiers."
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
"Ft. Rucker, Ala. was pretty cool. It is the home of Army Aviation."
What was the most memorable experience you had while in the service?
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