Moody sergeant to earn AF wings

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A Moody sergeant's determination to pursue educational goals allowed him to achieve his childhood dreams as he was recently selected for a slot as an Air Force pilot. 

Staff Sgt. John McCashland, 71st Rescue Squadron loadmaster, will soon embark on a journey that will take him through officer and pilot training, with the eventual goal of becoming an HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot in the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Air Field, Calif. 

"My first career paper I ever wrote in the fifth grade was about becoming an Air Force pilot," said Sergeant McCashland. "My grandfather was an Air Force navigator and got me hooked into flying. He told me anything is possible, and I proved that to myself." 

Sergeant McCashland did not take the usual path to becoming an Air Force pilot, as he joined the Air Force soon after graduating high school more than nine years ago. But despite his high level of job satisfaction in the loadmaster career field, the sergeant's desire to become a pilot never waned. 

This desire eventually led him to ask his leadership about the prospects of a career flying for the Air Force, said Sergeant McCashland. 

"I told my leadership (approximately a year ago) at the 71st Rescue Squadron I wanted to be a pilot and asked how I can go about doing it," he said. "They pointed me in the right direction and told me to make school a priority if I wanted to apply." 

At this point, Sergeant McCashland had already obtained his Community College of the Air Force degree and decided to pursue a Bachelor's in Professional Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While taking college classes onbase, the sergeant was also working on obtaining his private pilot's license to increase the odds of being selected for a pilot position. 

"I started pilot training in June 2006 and became certified as a private pilot Feb. 12, 2007," he said. "On my last flight before I received my license, a crowd of guys from my squadron were out at the airport in Adel waiting for me to touch down. It was the greatest thing to ever happen to me, and I felt like it was a long time coming." 

Sergeant McCashland is scheduled to finish his bachelor's degree in July, a little more than a year from when he decided to make his dream a reality. Now armed with a pilot license and the title of college graduate nearing, the sergeant only had one more challenge to overcome - his age. 

"Not many people enter pilot training at the age of 27," said Sergeant McCashland. "I'm required to enter pilot training by the age of 30, but I also must attend Officer Training School. In addition, there is typically plenty of paperwork involved making the process even longer. I'm cutting it close." 

While looking for open positions on the internet, the assignment for the Air National Guard drew Sergeant McCashland's attention so he decided to tell his commander about the opportunity. 

"My commander (Lt. Col. William Taylor) happened to know the 129th Rescue Wing deputy group commander and asked him if I had a shot," said Sergeant McCashland. "I was lucky enough that the same deputy commander was coming to Moody to handle some business, and Colonel Taylor introduced me to him and I hand-delivered my package." 

Sergeant McCashland was called three days later to interview with the 129th Rescue Group and took leave to make the appointment. Soon after, he received the call that he had been selected for the assignment. 

"When I found out I was selected, I asked the guy on the other end of the phone if it was joke," said Sergeant McCashland. "I called my commander, but he already knew about it. It was a surreal experience." 

Sergeant McCashland isn't sure if his role in the Air National Guard will be full-time or part-time, but feels his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot has been accomplished either way, he said. 

The sergeant's supervisor shares his sentiments and is confident knowing that one of his best Airmen will soon be piloting for the world's greatest airpower, said Master Sgt. Joe Blackman, 71st RQS. 

"Sergeant McCashland is exceptional in everything he does and has all the qualities that will make him a great Air Force officer and pilot," said Sergeant Blackman. "He is also a great example to our younger Airmen by letting them know if you work hard, you can reach and even exceed all your personal goals."