Hi I'm Dustin Jones,

I graduated Thunderbird in cycle 30. I was only sixteen when i attended the academy, and it did change me to an extent. I didn't become this amazing person everyone wants their kid to be, but I learned that I can get anything I want in life. I wasn't a bad kid before I went to TYA, i just enjoyed the highschool lifestyle a little too much. You dont have to be a horrible kid to attend the academy, just someone looking for a more positive driection. After graduating i moved back in with my father and step mom, and began working. I spent all my time working and partying. You cant blame me, I'd been locked up for 5 1/2 months, i just needed time to realx and get back into the groove of reality. But after a few months I got tired of doing nothing, and having nothing to be truly proud of.

So while I was at Thunderbird my instructor Sgt. Barnes talked to me a lot about the Air Force and the good times he had while he was enlisted. I decided there that if I did join the military, that the Air Force was where i was going. In January 2009 I enlisted in the Air Force, and on April 7th I was in San Antonio, TX at my first night in basic military training. You just dont realize how much TYA prepares you until you get thrown back in that lifestyle. The first night I was the only guy in my flight who could give a proper reporting statement, fall asleep with the lights on, and even use the bathroom. The best part was when we woke up the next morning, I made my bed just like I had learned at TYA. My MTI walked by my bed, stared at it for a minute, then looked at me. I knew then that I had came prepared and ready to do this. I went through basic as the youngest in my entire squadron, at only 17 I had to learn to grow up fast. I was made a leader, and it was hard cause as men we dont wanna listen to any kid telling us what to do. So i worked to earn their respect, and the respect of my supervisors.

I graduated basic on June 7th and went to tech school the following Monday. I've been here at Sheppard AFB now for 2 months and 12 days. I've met a lot of really great people, and learned a ton about the miltary lifestyle. I thank my instructors at TYA for teaching me so much, and sharing their knowledge with me. People constantly ask me how i joined so young, and my response is always "I went to Thunderbird Youth Academy." which always strikes up a great conversations. Thunderbird helped me prepare for my life today, and the road ahead.

I'm going to my first duty station in a few weeks, and  begin living a new life. I have a great oppurtunity in life and I plan to take advantage of it. I wanna thank Mrs. Cale for being my mother figure while I was at Thunderbird, she was the best counselor I could have asked for.

I wish all future alumni good luck, and go do whatever it is you want. Life is one big expeirence, and TYA was one I will never forget.

Sincerely,

AB Dustin M. Jones, United States Air Force