Tyndall Airman exceeds the odds

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Out of the 264,000 Airmen enlisted in the United States Air Force, only 12 have a PhD. For one Tyndall Airman this is a feat he hopes to conquer.

Master Sgt. Kent Kundert, Airey NCO Academy Superintendent of Plans and Programs, did not have the easiest start in life. Growing up in Imperial Beach, Calif., with four sisters, he was the son of ship builder father and a homemaker mother; who has been affected by the polio disease her whole life.

"I learned a lot from all the tragedy I was surrounded by at a young age," said Sgt. Kundert. "I was raised around bikers; there were a lot of them in my house growing up."

But, directly following high school he was sent out into the world on his own.

"My mom was one of those that believed you had to learn how to fly," said Sgt. Kundert. "So, she kicked me out of the nest."

During the six years between graduating school and joining the military, Sgt. Kundert attempted to create a life for himself.

"From 18 to 24, I played a lot of music, tried some college, and worked about 100 different odd jobs," said Sgt. Kundert. "I have done everything from painting houses and hanging drywall, to working at movie theaters and restaurants."

For about three of those six years, he was homeless.

"I went to Orange County and met a lot of people in the music scene, a lot of punk rock and heavy metal," said Sgt. Kundert. "There was a point in time that I was living on the Sunset Strip and under a bridge in LA. But, most of the time I slept on people's floors or couches."

It was also during this time that he played in numerous bands and even spent countless days recording in studios. His most fond memories from this time were living and playing with people that later became famous recording artists. "The LA music scene is a crazy place where everyone knows or runs across everyone; it truly lives up to its name, The Jungle."

Although he had a rough start, Sgt. Kundert has no shame in where he came from.

"I think the humility of being homeless and where I came from has caused me to be an achiever today and I would not change it for anything in the world," said Sgt. Kundert. "I am proud of where I came from."

Sergeant Kundert's life expierences made him realize it was time for change.

"I was tired of working dead-end jobs and knew I wanted to go to school because I had always been a thinker," said Sgt. Kundert. "It was time to do something, so I joined the military."

In 1997, Sgt. Kundert enlisted and became a fuels specialist.

"I really did not know what I was getting myself into, but I had to seize the moment," said Sgt. Kundert. "That comes from my intense California attitude. Now, I have been in 12 years."

The military has sent Sgt. Kundert to Nevada, Korea, Honduras, the Azores, Germany, Iraq and now, Florida.

While in Honduras, he met his wife, Mercy, and has since had two boys: Alex, who is 7, and Neil, who is 5.

"When I met my wife and we had our first child, I knew I had to make some changes," said Sgt. Kundert. "I stopped smoking and drinking. After that, I did not know what to do with myself, so I started going back to school."

He has since attained a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Studies, a Masters Degree in Information Technology Management, and is currently working on his PhD in Business Administration, with a focus on leadership.

"A lot of my musical and academic influences had PhDs so I was like wow, I want to be like that," said Sgt. Kundert. "My final goal after I graduate in 2012 is to earn a Doctorate of Philosophy, so I can spend my future educating minds, performing research, and giving back through communal philanthropy."

Outside of work and school, Sgt. Kundert is highly active in the Air Force Sergeants Association, as the International Active Duty Affairs Trustee. He feels that he owes a lot of his success to AFSA because of all the benefits he has received through its sustained lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Sgt. Kundert says that he loves the enlisted corps and has a passion to one day become a truly inspirational enlisted leader.

In his off time, Sgt. Kundert teaches Information Technology to students at the Gulf Coast Community College, and has recently founded the Tyndall Toastmasters Club to help people get over their fear of public speaking.

For Sgt. Kundert, the sky is the limit.

"I know I can make a difference," said Sergeant Kundert. "I know I can help people because I have been down that road, and have the t-shirt. I have found that there is no better feeling than motivating people and making their life better than it was before you helped them; that , I believe, is the secret to true happiness.