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Meet Lt. Col. Jorstad: 325th MDSS commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  From a dairy farm in a small Wisconsin town to Tyndall's 325th Medical Support Squadron, the new squadron commander is ready for the challenges of his new position.

Lt. Col. Rodney Jorstad, 325th MDSS commander, was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he grew up with four sisters and one brother.

He graduated with a class of 106 people from Bloomer High School in the small city of Bloomer, which is 15 miles north of Chippewa Falls.

Wanting to see the world and serve his country like his father, Colonel Jorstad joined the Air Force June 19, 1984.

"My dad served in the Army during the Korean War," said Colonel Jorstad. "My original intention was to do at least one tour of four years to serve my country. I thought it would be a great way to get out and see what else is out there."

Colonel Jorstad enlisted for almost 10 years before he got out to pursue the medical field. Since he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. at the time, the colonel enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to earn his bachelor's degree. For his Doctorate in Pharmacy, he attended the University of Toledo.

"When I got out I really didn't have the intention of getting back in," Colonel Jorstad said. "I wanted to see the civilian sector. While I was going to Pharmacy School, I worked at a lot of different hospitals and pharmacies, and I really missed the structure of the military. I decided to do my commission and come back in. The original intention was 20 years, and I'm at 26 now. I have been very happy with the Air Force."

Colonel Jorstad met his wife Michele in 1988, and they married August 7 of the same year. The colonel said it was one of his proudest moments, and this year will be their 25th year anniversary.

"I always put a priority on my marriage," said the colonel. "A happy wife is a happy life. I believe in that philosophy."

His other proudest moment is one he is living right now.

"Getting selected for command is something I have thought about and wanted for a long time," Colonel Jorstad said. "It is something I dreamed of, but I didn't know if I would ever get here."

He is looking forward to the challenges and the ability to help the Airmen that come along with this command.

"I think command is definitely going to stretch and grow me as a leader," the colonel said. "I also look forward to being able to take care of my folks and giving them opportunities like others have done for me throughout my career. I'm very passionate about that."

When he is not at work, Colonel Jorstad enjoys traveling with his wife, following politics and big game hunting, he said.

"I am not a really complicated person," said Colonel Jorstad. "What you see is what you get. My wife and I are both really excited to be here, and we are looking forward to the next two years."