Subscribe
Shop Local
Magazine
Gas Prices
Today's Poll!Military-acquired skills assist lawmaker in overcoming life’s challenges
State Rep. Zach Wyatt, R-Green Castle, explains how skills he developed as a linguist in the Air Force have helped in his legislative endeavors.
Monday, May 14, 2012
As a freshman lawmaker, state Rep. Zach Wyatt, R-Green Castle, believes study skills cultivated during his military service helped prepare him for the range of issues he has encountered in his legislative career.
Raised on a small farm near Novinger, Wyatt graduated from high school in 2003 and soon joined the Air Force to help acquire “an education without debt.”
While at the Military Entrance Processing Station, he was asked if he was interested in taking a language proficiency exam.
The only one in his group to pass the exam, Wyatt was classified as an “airborne cryptologic linguist” and sent to Lackland AFB, Texas, to complete his basic training and aircrew school.
“While there, we received familiarization training in aircraft such as the RC-135 and C-130,” Wyatt said.
He then traveled to Monterrey, Calif., where he began to study the Russian language at the Defense Language Institute.
More like this story
- Lawmaker discusses how naval service helped shape his legislative perspective
- Identifying an aptitude
- Marine Corps service helps lawmaker cultivate a spirit of public service
- Mo. lawmaker says he is gay, denounces school bill
- Naval service influences lawmaker’s support of military-focused legislation
Marry Me
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Please review our Policies and Procedures before registering or commenting
Or login with:
OpenID