Photo By Airman 1st Class Jordaan Kvale | Staff Sgt. James Carlson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron Link Unit Manager,...... read more read more
In early 2017, while driving to a waterpark with his family, Staff Sgt. James Carlson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron Link Unit Manager, posed a pivotal question to his wife.
“What do you think about me joining the military?” Carlson asked. “She's like, ‘Alright, let's start looking into it.’ ”
Carlson’s wife happened to be friends with the daughter of then Brig. Gen. John Tuohy, former Assistant Adjutant General for the Washington Air National Guard. This connection led to a life-changing phone call.
At the time, Carlson was an assistant manager at Burlington in Lakewood, Washington.
“I was so busy in retail; I never took time for anything. I literally went into the office and said I had to go on a conference call. I went in there because I had a scheduled call with Gen. Tuohy.”
That conversation was a turning point. He was inspired by Tuohy’s journey from a career in medical equipment sales to a life of service.
“What he was talking about really hit home for me,” said Carlson. “He had a really successful career. He got to travel, he got to wear the nice clothes, he made the nice money, all these things, but he just wasn't feeling fulfilled. And at that point, he completely went all in with the military.”
In May 2017, Carlson enlisted in the Washington Air National Guard as a Battle Management Operator with the 111th Air Support Operations Squadron.
“I wanted the camaraderie. I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I wanted to excel in something else, especially a different interest of mine,” he said.
Within the next three years, Carlson completed basic training, technical training, and accepted several temporary full-time orders. In 2020, he returned to the civilian sector as a store manager for Burlington in Lacey, Washington.
“For the next couple of years, this is where a lot of things just started turning for me and going really good,” said Carlson.
Carlson was well-regarded by Burlington’s district and regional leadership. He became the go-to guy for everything. Not only did he manage his own store, but he also trained new store managers and fixed other branches’ operational issues. As a result of his excellence, he was expected to be promoted to district manager.
“2021, 2022, and going into 2023 were hot for my civilian career, like on fire,” said Carlson. “It was insane. So good. So many things were happening.”
With his success, Carlson discovered that his position and responsibilities were straining other areas of his life. He determined that he had to give up his military career in order to continue his civilian career.
“My enlistment was up in May of 2023, and I was getting out because it was going so well for me,” said Carlson. “I was like, I am getting out. I have to focus on one thing.”
It was a tough decision for Carlson. He enjoyed everything about his military experiences but balancing that with a civilian career and family was just too much. Ultimately, he chose his well-paying job over the military.
But after submitting his separation paperwork, Carlson changed his mind.
“I didn't like where I was going both mentally and in my career with Burlington, and I wanted to shift that,” said Carlson. “I wanted to focus on my family, I wanted to focus on my faith, and I wanted to focus on my career in a way that's not just about a paycheck.”
Carlson reached out to the 111th ASOS to express his interest in a full-time position. To better prepare for the competitive interview process, he was encouraged to take on temporary orders. He did just that and rescinded his separation paperwork.
“I left Burlington without knowing whether or not I was going to get a full-time spot,” said Carlson. “So I left a six-figure income job to come in as a senior airman in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard.”
Carlson interviewed for the job in February 2024 and has worked full-time ever since.
As he reflected on his meaningful commitment, Carlson recognized the fulfillment that his decision has brought.
“The most rewarding aspect of my work in the Guard has been the impact it’s had on my family,” he said. “I have just grown in such a deeper relationship with my wife and my kids and everything.”
Additionally, he formed strong bonds with fellow guard members.
“I have been making some incredible relationships,” he said. “I've made a lot of good friends. The [people] are awesome. The camaraderie that I've been able to have has just been really cool.”
This sense of fulfillment, similar to what Tuohy had told Carlson years before, was rooted in a desire for something greater.
“The reason I joined the military was because I didn't feel like I was doing enough, but I never wanted to leave my high paying civilian career,” said Carlson. “So I finally was like, ‘You know what? I'm gonna do so many more things. I'm gonna feel much better about myself,’ and I really have.”
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2024 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 482783 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 579 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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