Two Uniforms, One Service

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  After five years of serving in the Air Force as a C-130 crew chief, Staff Sgt. Sean Tracey decided he wanted to try something different.

He decided to turn down a $40,000 re-enlistment bonus and instead pursue a college degree with his benefits from the Post 9-11 GI bill.

But Tracey knew he wasn't ready to give up on the Air Force just yet. He joined the Air Force Reserve as an aircraft production controller for the 927th Maintenance Operations Flight and enrolled as a ROTC cadet at Detachment 158 at the University of South Florida.

Tracey said his appreciation of life in the Air Force is what prompted him to further his career.

"My five years on active duty were the best experience, and I wanted to continue to serve," he said. "I thought I would be a good fit in a leadership position."

His supervisor, Master Sgt. Jason Leclair of the 927th Maintenance Operations Flight, said he saw Tracey's potential for leadership right away.

"Three years ago we started working on the flightline together. I noticed right away that he was really sharp and he listened really well," said Leclair. "He's always putting himself out there, always volunteering for additional duties, always the first one to answer the phones, always willing to be trained up on skills he doesn't know."

Serving in both capacities means two uniforms to maintain, two military schedules to keep and two roles in the Air Force, one as a leader and one as a trained specialist in his field.

As a cadet captain, Tracey is a field training preparation squadron commander. He prepares other cadets for their field training, a 28-day training program that teaches cadets leadership skills and ultimately determines a cadet's placement and career path in the Air Force, Tracey said.

As a reservist, Tracey works in the maintenance operations control center where he tracks the maintenance statuses and records of planes being repaired. Being a member of the Reserve while in school keeps Tracey busy, but he said that he appreciates the extra financial support and the job experience that comes with serving in the Air Force Reserve.

Tracey, a junior, will finish a degree in psychology next year. After graduation, Tracey will continue his career as a navigator and officer. From maintainer to aviator, Tracey said it all started with a love of flying.

"The reasoning behind my joining the Air Force in aircraft maintenance was that I had a passion for aviation, and I thought 'why not serve my country?'" he said.

"It's a shame he's leaving us in a short while, because his shoes will be hard to fill. I think he'll be a great leader," said Leclair.