From rejected to accepted, one Airman’s journey to becoming a falcon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The feeling of rejection; some of us have been in a similar situation once before. The way ones stomach drops as the feelings of sudden defeat and helplessness knocks an individual to their knees. But where there's defeat, there's a second chance, and that's just what happened for Airman 1st Class George Brown II, 39th Communications Squadron client systems technician, here.

It was just another morning at work for Brown when he got the news everyone was waiting to hear, except this news took a turn for the worst. Instead of opening a letter congratulating him on his acceptance into the prestigious academic program, Brown read why he would not be attending.

"My throat kind of got a lump in it from all the nervousness and excitement," said Brown. "Then I started to read, 'We regret to inform you that you have not received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School or the U.S. Air Force Academy.' I just stood there in silence for a second; it's definitely not how I wanted to start off my day."

Brown went on for two weeks carrying the bad news on his shoulders, shuffling around his leave plans and making sure everything was back in order in time to permanently change duty stations to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Then, one day his office was asked to gather in his commander's office.

Brown explained that he was really confused on why because something like this has never happened before his commander, Lt. Col. Erin McDonald, 39th CS would then shed light on the situation.

"McDonald started talking about an Airman who previously came up to him expressing his dreams to get accepted into the academy. I started to feel like he was talking about me," Brown said. "I felt as if it was all a dream. I  had to question myself ten times on whether or not he was talking about me and if it was reality or not. I just kept telling myself to wake up," Brown said with a laugh.

On that day, May 15, 2015, Brown was notified by McDonald that he will be attending the USAF Prep School in July in preparation to attend the USAF academy upon graduation in 2016.

The prep school is a ten-month rigorous program specifically designed to transition candidates from a high-school academic environment to the world-class collegiate academic program at the academy. According to the academy's website, students who attend are addressed as "cadet candidates" and each year, approximately 240 students between the ages of 17 and 22 years old begin the program in late July and graduate to attend the academy in the fall.

"I'm glad I am going into this course with prior enlisted experience," said Brown. "It's going to be a really demanding course, but I feel more prepared now that I have basic training under my belt and time at my first duty station."

The prep school emphasizes the same four areas as the academy; academics, military, athletics and character.

"I would love to be on the track team while attending the academy, maybe even the football team," said Brown. "I think sports would help me decompress as I earn my degree."

Brown mentioned he would like to earn his degree in the medical field or even to become a pilot while attending the Academy.

"It has always been a dream to go to college and get a degree," Brown said. "I never thought that I would be attending the prep school followed by the academy. I'm really excited to get this opportunity to better myself academically and as an Airman. After getting my dreams shot down to having a second chance ... I feel honored."