This week’s Up Close features Senior Airman Armentrout, a 700th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. Up Close is a series spotlighting individuals around Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in California, off Travis Air Force Base, and then moved around because my dad was in the military. I ended up in Georgia in second grade and have lived here ever since.
WHY DID YOU JOIN?
Mainly because of my dad and wanting to serve the country. Although my dad is a pilot, I decided to become a loadmaster. I did a year of college and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life at that point. My dad recommended I go on base with Col. Briggs, who showed me intelligence and the loadmaster sections so I could see if I liked those jobs. I enjoyed the time that I had with the loadmaster section a little bit more as something to do while I went to school and I’d get to travel a lot and see the world.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE CIVILIAN SIDE?
I’m a student at Kennesaw State University right now. I’m in my sophomore year. I’m majoring in information security.
FAVORITE AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE?
I really enjoyed going to Portugal for Real Thaw 18. That was my first overseas trip with the Air Force. It was a good time. We did our mission. We got to fly. We got to do airdrops. We also had the freedom of having a couple days off to go explore and enjoy our time in Portugal.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
School is keeping me busy, but I still find time to hang out with friends. I’m getting back into hockey. I’m a goalie. I’m doing adult stick times and maybe try to play for KSU.
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I want to graduate and see where that takes me. I might also look into getting my private flying license and then if I enjoy flying maybe I might fly on the military or civilian side. That’s also a possibility and has always been on my mind, but I want to see what I can do with school first.
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
My grandparents said I should do what makes me happy. They said that school costs money and you just want to get through it, but you’re never really behind in school. There are people going to school in their thirties or forties or fifties. There’s no rush. It’s more about doing what you know in the end will make you happy, instead of just trying to push through something. They said you want to do what you want to do and not to put yourself in a situation where you’re working a job you hate for the rest of your life.
SOMETHING NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
When I was a kid, I was a black belt in Taekwondo, but I don’t know how to do that stuff anymore. I quit Taekwondo for hockey actually.