Cowtown reservists working together bring a cadet home as a captain

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristin Mack
  • 301st Fighter Wing
Fort Worth, TEXAS --  When two individuals collaborated during a group training exercise in the fall of 1998, they never imagined the impact their collaboration would have on one single participant; a desire to later return to the 301st Fighter Wing as a member. 

But after almost a decade, this former Texas Christian University Reserve Officer Training Course cadet now works just blocks away from some of the greatest mentors in his military career. 

Capt. Travis Hatley, 301st Aerial Port Squadron, became a 301st Fighter Wing member in October 2007, after seven years active duty following his ROTC commission. This is the first time he has seen the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas since his training as an ROTC cadet. 

A large part of that training involved participation in a bivouac. This was a collaborative training event held at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., primarily involving civil engineers and the 301st Medical Squadron. 

Coincidentally, Col. Robert Kelsey, now the 701st Medical Squadron commander, was doing volunteer work in 1998 through the TCU ROTC. He was a TCU graduate and enjoyed being involved and spending time with this ROTC unit. He acted as the Arnold Air Society Advisor to the ROTC and Assistant Chief Nurse to the 301st Medical Squadron. 

"It was very entertaining for me to go down and help them," said Colonel Kelsey. "We met for one hour every week." 

"As the fall drew near, there were plans for a bivouac. The 301st Medical Squadron supported CE during this combined four-day Unit Training Assembly with nursing services requested to teach Self-Aid Buddy Care. 

"We though it would be a good idea to invite the cadets," said Colonel Kelsey. "This would give them an idea of what the Reserve does and we could always use their help at this event." 

In order for the medical staff to teach self-aid buddy care, they needed to employ the cadets as casualties. CE got the cadets to do their job in perimeter defense and SABC. This helped enhanced CE's training because they were able to do more training since they weren't involved in the SABC. 

"It was funny seeing these old crusty Master Sergeants teaching these young university students about how to run a rode grader," said Colonel Kelsey. 

"My expectations (of the bivouac) were low going into it," said Captain Hatley. "I knew we were helping CE and security forces do their training and we were told what we would do. 

"Being in college, I thought it was cool. I thought it was really awesome to go on a C-130 and dress up like we had been shot up. We went with cops and rode around on four-wheelers; went with CE, they taught us how to use heavy equipment; we graded roads, dumped gravel and spread it out. I thought it was awesome. That was my first exposure of a Reserve squadron." 

These two worlds collided in January at the 301st Fighter Wing's Annual Awards banquet. The new 301st Fighter Wing captain spotted Colonel Kelsey and greeted him upon recognition. 

"I came up to him and said you probably don't remember me but I was a cadet on that bivouac," said Captain Hatley. "It impressed me so much that when I was commissioned and completed my active-duty time, I decided to come back here as a full-time Reservist ... a lot of it had to do with you taking me on that bivouac." 

When the military drawdowns began in 2006, the captain had to make a decision; either voluntarily leave the service and come in the Reserve or possibly be forced out of the service due to manning requirements. 

"Looking back on my experience here ultimately made a big impact on my decision to come off active duty and into the Reserve," said Captain Kelsey. 

He found a way to transfer to the Reserve under the Palace Front program. This program allows you do perform twice your active-duty commitment in the Reserve to complete your military obligation. 

After he decided to transfer to the Reserve, he made some calls and spoke with Lt. Col. Lee Jones, 301st Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, who offered him an interview. He drove from Maxwell AFB, Ala., in November 2006, was interviewed and immediately hired. 

"I'm now managing programs and people; that is what I enjoy the most and love about the Air Force," said Captain Hatley. "I'm grateful for the people who helped me get here."