As the largest university in the Western New York region, UB attracts a number of students to enlist in the Air Force, an experience that not only helps pay for college, but also makes a positive impact by challenging students to test their limits.
Noah Thies, a junior psychology major, said he joined the Air Force because he wanted to serve his country, among other things.
"I joined the Air Force for many reasons," said Thies, an aircraft maintenance worker at the Niagara Falls 914th Air Wing in the Air Force Reserves. "First and foremost, I wanted to serve and protect my country. For generations now, my family has been serving this country and I want to keep it that way."
Thies, like many other reservists, said he's been able to gain a greater sense of pride, responsibility, and camaraderie in the Air Force.
"The experience of basic training, technical school, and active duty has changed my attitude towards what I could accomplish, as well as given me a chance to broaden my perspective on the diversity of the people that live all over our world. I will walk away from this with friends I never thought I could have gained," he said.
Thies said he wants to go to Iraq to fight for his country. Although he is still in school, he said that it's not a situation that would be hard to balance.
"I don't focus on it," Thies said. "I understand where it would be stressful, but right now I'm focused on school, and if I have to go I have to go."
According to Thies, one of the main advantages of joining the reservists as a college student is the immense amount of educational benefits a reservist receives. By joining up, all students have the opportunity to get tuition assistance through the Montgomery GI Bill.
"Everything you are doing educational-wise is college credit," said Senior Recruiter Senior Master Sergeant Lonnie Taylor, who works at the base. "We have 100 percent tuition reimbursement with a maximum of $4,500 per year, as well as the Montgomery GI Bill that provides financial assistance to members of the Selected Reserves."
"For those who qualify, there is the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker," Taylor added. "This bill is a supplemental education assistance benefit providing a maximum of $350 per month to qualifying members in critical career fields."
Taylor is only one of many recruiters at the Niagara Falls base who are trying to recruit enlistees, especially from colleges and universities, to broaden the program.
"Last year we recruited 128 new enlistees, and of that, 90 percent already attended or planned to attend a four-year college immediately after technical training," Taylor. "The educational benefits that the Air Force provides you as a student is a wonderful advantage. You must utilize these benefits to offset the commitment."
The Air Force also has a program called Community College of the Air Force, which offers 68 associate degree programs, according to Taylor. Once out of basic training and technical school, enlistees become reservists and service members of the Air Force. More than 1,550 colleges and universities provide educational opportunities to Air Force graduates. Students may enroll in associate, bachelor, and graduate-level degree programs.
"I wasn't even planning on attending college, but when I returned from basic training and technical school, I was accepted to UB, and now I attend school there and work on the base as a reservist," Thies said. "I am able to take advantage of the Montgomery Bill and Kicker, which takes care of most of my tuition."
The Air Force offers over 150 different career opportunities, ranging from mechanical to medical, and business to broadcasting, a fact that Thies plans to take advantage of.
"I plan on staying in the reserves even after I graduate," Thies said. "My goal is to become a pilot for the Air Force Reserves and stay on as an air reserve technician. There are so many job opportunities for reservists, and because of that, my psychology degree is just my backup."
For one weekend a month and two weeks a year, Thies said becoming a reservist helps the Air Force Reserve maintain a force that is trained and ready for duty at a moment's notice.
"I am a huge promoter of the Air Force Reserves," Thies said. "I really feel you obtain a better understanding of what is going on in this world, as well as knowing you are a key element of our national security. I wouldn't be who I am now, without the experiences the Air Force has given me."
