TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Hearing a member of the Armed Forces announce that they were once a military brat is not unusual. However, stating that you grew up as an AT&T brat is not so common.

The 325th Mission Support Group Commander, Colonel Michael Fleck, did just that.

"I grew up all over the place," said Colonel Fleck. "I was an AT&T brat. My father's career enabled us to live in a lot of places."

Throughout his youth he lived in New York, Turkey, California, Iran, New Jersey and North Carolina. His mother stayed at home raising him and his sister and was very dedicated to their sports and activities.

Colonel Fleck participated on the swim team, as well as the basketball and football teams.

Upon graduation from high school he was offered a four-year scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But, he wanted to fly.

"I knew for a long time I wanted to be in the Air Force," said Colonel Fleck. "I had a fascination with flight. Growing up my mom would tell me stories about her childhood in Demark during World War II and she would always tell me about the British, American and Luftwaffe bombers that would fly over her town."

With his mind made up, he applied for and was accepted to the Air Force Academy. He was on the swim team his freshman year and during his junior and senior years he participated on the parachute team.

"To be on the parachute team you have to want to do something that is thrilling and dangerous," said Colonel Fleck. "You also have to work really hard because there is little room for error."

The team took part in several air shows along with taking third in the parachute nationals. During his senior year he was named the demonstrator of the year.

Colonel Fleck graduated the Air Force Academy in 1988 with an Aeronautical Engineering degree and has since acquired three master's degrees. He began his military career at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot. As his career progressed he learned to fly the C-5 Galaxy and the U-2.

He has also spent time as a legislative liaison at the Pentagon.

"My duties there were two-fold," said Colonel Fleck. "One, I was to try and help Congress and the Air Force understand each other in programs, and two, I traveled with members of Congress."

Through his travels he met with many key leaders, with the highlights being President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle and the Dalai Lama.

Colonel Fleck said he has enjoyed his career thus far and plans to stick around as long as he can contribute to the defense of the country.

"I'll go where I am needed," said Colonel Fleck. "It is good to be needed."

Outside of work he enjoys working on cars and sailing. He owns his own antique Corvette and a sailboat.

"I taught myself to sail," said Colonel Fleck. "I figured if the Egyptians could do it, so could I. After, retirement I would like to sail to the Bahamas."

He suspects after his career in the military ends he will still stay connected to the Air Force in one form or another.

"The sailing will be to relax, but I really want to continue with the advocacy of Air Power," said Colonel Fleck. "The central thing that drives me is the use of Air Power to attain military and political objectives."

For the new Airman just beginning their careers, he had only one piece of advice.

"Stake your claim in the Air Force," said Colonel Fleck. "What I mean by that is be an expert in your job and own it. Enjoy the ride."

For a closer look at the 325th Mission Support Group click here.