Mentors and persistence help airman achieve

  • Published
  • By Ann Skarban
  • 302nd Airlift Wing
Colorado Springs, Colo. --  Since his childhood, Lieutenant Nathan Nordby wanted to fly. As he grew up, he realized flying and graduating from the United States Air Force Academy would be both the dream of a lifetime and even better, an opportunity to serve his country as an officer in the United States Air Force. Achieving this goal would prove to be one of the most difficult but rewarding and life-changing events he would experience. During this journey he met mentors (by chance) and from them, learned the true meaning of leadership. Now, as a graduate of USAFA and a second lieutenant, he hopes to become a mentor to others, helping them achieve their goals and dreams. 

After three of his applications were denied, Lieutenant Nordby, quit trying.  "I decided to move forward, putting the Academy on hold and became a volunteer fire fighter in my hometown. I wanted to serve my community," said Lieutenant Nordby. "Then, after the events of 9-11 I wanted to serve (my country). I talked to a recruiter with intentions to enlist in the Active Duty Air Force. The recruiter talked with me and took the time to find out what my true desires were, which included attending college full-time. The recruiter pointed me to the Air Force Reserve." 

Lieutenant Nordby became an enlisted reserve command post controller and was assigned as a traditional reservist with the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis, International Airport, Minn. He was also attending Bethel College in Minnesota full-time. 

Lieutenant Nordby found a mentor in the command post Officer in Charge, Lt. Col. Carl Lindberg and shared his dream of attending the USAFA. 

"I started looking into the Academy again and with the encouragement of my Reserve boss, I decided to look into getting into the Academy as an Airman," said Lieutenant Nordby. 

Lieutenant Nordby decided to give it one last shot through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program. 

"I knew I only had one more shot (for admission) due to my age," said Lieutenant Nordby.
The LEAD program delegates authority to unit and wing commanders to nominate highly talented Airmen to compete for admission to the Academy without a congressional appointment. 

It was in Minneapolis where Lieutenant Nordby would also work with and meet another mentor and USAFA alum, Colonel James J. Muscatell, Jr., the 934th AW wing commander. After the Colonel settled into command at the unit, he got to know Lieutenant Nordby and learned of his desire to attend the Air Force Academy. 

"He grilled me for an hour," said Lieutenant Nordby, "it almost sounded like he was convincing me not to go, especially seeing I was three fourths of the way through college. Later I realized, he was just checking if I wanted to go and if I still believed in it."  Colonel Muscatell was convinced and drafted a letter of recommendation for Nathan's LEAD application package. 

Discussing the role of a mentor, Colonel Muscatell said, "It is the responsibility of enlisted, officers and senior leaders to help people find their voice and their passion."
"Mentoring doesn't mean telling people what they want to hear, it is about what they need to hear," he added. 

Finally, the dream was a reality. "It was incredible how all of the right doors opened at the right time," said Lieutenant Nordby. 

The four years at the Academy were extremely challenging. By chance, Colonel Muscatell was reassigned from the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis to command the 302nd Airlift Wing, located in Colorado Springs during Lieutenant Nordby's junior year. Colonel Muscatell and his wife Nancy became mentors and extended family helping Lieutenant Nordby when he had questions or just needed support. 

"There were many times 'Colonel M' and Nancy helped me out," said Lieutenant Nordby.
Discussing what he learned from this experience Lieutenant Nordby shared, "We have to take care of each other. Those who are going to make an impact will be the legacy -- the people we have supported. Anyone can manage, with right tools and training, but growing people for the rest of their career is important," added Lieutenant Nordby. 

Lieutenant Nordby hopes this experience and his Academy education will help him help others as he now begins his career as a United States Air Force officer. 

To learn more about LEAD program, logon to http://www.academyadmissions.com