Reservists juggle mission requirements and higher education

by Maj. Wayne Capps
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

12/24/2013 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY -- Managing a full-time college course load can be hectic, but add the mission requirements of a reserve flying schedule and it can be downright difficult.

Tech. Sgts. Shayne Katirgis and Kyle Simpson, reserve loadmasters with the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., managed to fit in a C-17 mission to Incirlik, Turkey and other flight duties while on Christmas break from school.

"Not many college students can say their part time job is to fly around the world," said Simpson, a full-time student studying Physical Education at Charleston Southern University. "This is the best part time job a person could have."

Simpson, who finds it somewhat easy to manage his reserve requirements and his school life, has been a reservist for the past three years and looks forward to graduating in May and becoming a teacher. "Sometimes you feel like you never get a break but it is absolutely worth it," he said.

Katirgis on the other hand, finds it harder to balance school and flying. "I have to be honest, it is hard. Balancing a school schedule and the reserve is stressful," he said. "I might have two tests back to back, then have to drive down to Charleston to fly. Sometimes flying gets in the way... but it is worth it because I enjoy what I do."

Katirgis has been a reservist since 2006 and is a student at South University's College of Pharmacy. "You just have to do it," he said when asked how he manages the busy life. "You have to just put your nose to the grindstone and do it. Getting a doctorate isn't easy anyways, but adding the military to the mix just adds to the stress," he said.

But, Katirgis credits the training he has received while in the military with helping him deal with the hectic schedule. "My military training really helps with the stress in dealing with an accelerated 3-year doctorate program," he said. "You just have to prioritize everything."

"My Christmas break is a perfect example of some of the stress that can be added. I had to make up my October, November, and December UTAs (Unit Training Assemblies) while on break. Other students get to give their brains a rest but I have a check ride. But, there is a payoff," he said while reflecting on the benefits of being a reservist. "You get a chance to get away from school and experience a different tempo."

Both men agree that their squadron has been very flexible with their flying schedules. "I can basically choose when I want to fly. It is easy to get on flights and fly during school breaks and weekends," said Simpson.

"When I get back from a weekend trip and tell my classmates what I did, they can't believe it," said Simpson. "Like I said, I think this is the best part time job a student could have."

Master Sgt. Dennis Moore, evaluator loadmaster from the 701st Airlift Squadron, who gave both aviators check-rides, or recurring flight evaluations on the holiday mission to Turkey, summed up the pair's chaotic schedules. "We all have to balance home, life and being a reservist. It is what we do," said Moore. "They don't do it for the money, they do it because they are patriots."