TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
What you want to be when you grow up is an age old question, and making
it to ‘pros’ in the sports world is a childhood dream for many. This dream was shared
by a young boy from the heart of Colorado, a dream that led him into the U.S.
Air Force Academy.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Anthony George, the new commander of the 325th
Comptroller Squadron, grew up playing sports in the mountains of Conifer,
Colorado, a small town west of Denver.
The military was not a new concept to George, as a member from
both sides of his family served during World War II. The second oldest of five
siblings, George and his two brothers would eventually continue the selfless
service of joining the military and all earn commissions through the U.S. Air
Force Academy.
“My older brother and I were both recruited to play basketball,”
George said. “The Academy showed interest and my parents recognized that it was
a great opportunity for us. My younger brother eventually joined and graduated
in 2013.”
George graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2005 as a
second lieutenant.
George went on to describe the many ways in which his life changed
after joining the Air Force. He learned what the military envisioned, what it
expected, and what it meant for his future.
To this day, George still enjoys playing basketball, the game that
has been engrained in him since childhood, the sport that allows him to have
fun and shut off his brain, but he may soon have competition.
“Now that my son is getting older, he likes to go run around the
gym with me so it is very much a hobby of ours,” George said.
The Air Force allowed him the opportunity to meet his future wife
while also fostering a love for other cultures.
“I am passionate about culture and specifically language,” George said.
“I met my wife in Croatia and her parents didn’t speak English so I had to
learn Croatian. I realized that learning Croatian opened a lot of doors and
allowed me to experience things in a different light than most people.”
Through his love and passion for language, George was fortunate
enough to have the Air Force select him for a regional position that allowed
him the opportunity to formally learn the Russian language and his most recent
assignment allowed him to be immersed in Japanese culture.
Both his love of language and his love of sports have grown over
the years.
George loves doing anything and everything with those who are most
important in his life, his loving family. One of the achievements on his
family’s goals list is to travel as much as possible whether to other countries
or other cities, he said.
“I find that the things I am most proud of are usually the most
challenging, so being a father and being married are definitely up there,” he
said.
George related taking command of the 325th CPTS to sports, in that
the nerves are always present just before a big game.
“There’s a lot on the line, it is up to me to do my part and help
this squadron grow and that is a lot of responsibility,” George said. “You’re a
fool if you aren’t nervous, but at the same time, it’s the big game. There’s
excitement to it – there’s energy. It’s an absolute mix of emotions, but I am
honored to be able to serve this squadron as its commander.”
As he sat and reflected of the enormity of taking command of a
squadron, its resources and its Airmen, he thought of advice once shared with
him that stuck with George over the years.
“You have the right attitude, you have the aptitude or competence,
and you take the opportunities that are in front of you and you go with that,”
George said. “Control what you can control and take advantage of the
opportunities that are presented.”
George had some advice for his fellow Airmen that falls in line
with what he was told years ago.
“The Air Force has tons of opportunities out there,” George said.
“Make sure you have the right attitude and the right aptitude. This allows you
to have the foundation that would enable you to go after opportunities as they
present themselves. You just have to open your eyes and go for it.”
For information about the 325th Comptroller Squadron click HERE