As the Executive Officer of the 478th Aeronautical System Wing (478 AESW) I have a unique position of significant influence, ensuring the USAF's ability to provide air dominance through the 21st th century. But, as you'll see, it was a winding road that brought me here and a unique set of experiences that prepared me for this position. As a boy growing up in Northern Michigan I was always obsessed with military aviation. Like many kids, model airplanes filled my bedroom, everything from P-51 Mustangs and B-17 Flying Fortresses to F-15 Eagles and the beloved F-117 Nighthawk. It has truly been this last of these aircraft that has guided my career and life thus far, and it has been the recognition of this aircraft that has driven me to love the Air Force. As a high school student I had planned to attend the Air Force Academy. , but when my then-girlfriend (now wife) got pregnant we decided I needed a new plan. With no financial means to go to college on my own, I applied for and received a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship at Michigan Technological University. While attending college I was fortunate to have the experience of becoming a Wing Commander and then an Inspector General, both of which allowed me to work directly for our Detachment Commander (a selected O-6). Additionally, I was able to attend numerous special training courses which gave me the opportunity to meet everyone from the Commander of Allied Air Forces Southern Europe to the Secretary of the Air Force. All of these experiences immediately gave me great insight into what senior leadership really is. I graduated from ROTC as a Distinguished Graduate which helped me get accepted into the Air Force Institute of T... middle of paper... ....re so they can focus on their jobs providing war fighters the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, the F-22 Raptor. By ensuring that these individuals are empowered, motivated, and adequately equipped, they are free to focus on their work of manufacturing, acquiring, and delivering this product to warfighters and, in turn, ensuring that the USAF and the Department of Defense have the Critical F-22 capabilities available when needed. As you can see it was not a single factor, but a combination of many that led me to join the USAF, and a critical set of opportunities that led me to the position I now occupy. The unique experiences and skills I have allow me to help ensure that the capabilities of the F-22 Raptor are delivered to the warfighter in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus ensuring that the USAF maintains air superiority long into the future.