Photo By Senior Airman Johnny Diaz | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Novak, an airborne radio operator assigned to the...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — As of 2024, the acceptance rate into the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School was below 20 percent. However, 20 percent was all U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Novak, an airborne radio operator assigned to the 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, needed to earn acceptance into OTS at Maxwell Air Force Base.
From an early age, Novak had an affinity for flying. In his final years of high school, he set that dream in motion. The Air Force Softbook Program allows high school juniors to reserve a slot in the Air Force before graduation. Novak used that resource to secure his position as he started the next phase of his life.
“It was super early in my senior year, so I could do the Softbook Program where I pick five jobs, and I’m guaranteed one of them out of high school,” said Novak. “So I picked all five air crew jobs. I knew I was going to be flying and since then, it’s snowballed.”
Of the five Air Force occupations he listed, he was selected for airborne radio operator. This allowed him to fly, but while stationed at JBER, the urge to pilot grew stronger than ever.
“Living in Alaska, you’re surrounded by aviators. We have the most civilian pilots [per capita] in America,” said Novak. “Being surrounded by that, it really pushed me to pursue my dream of becoming a private pilot.”
A bittersweet opportunity would arise during Novak’s journey to becoming a pilot; his father passed away during his tenure though it left him with the funds to pursue flying.
“My father passed away in early February of 2022 and it took about six to eight months before we could get a small sum of life insurance. It was only about $10,000 each for my brother and I,” said Novak. “I took that money and it was my dad’s last gift to me. He paid for my private pilot license, and at that point, I flew 200 hours.”
The cost and commitments required for a piloting license are not easy, and with the educational requirements associated with becoming an officer in the Air Force, Novak had several hurdles to clear before being considered for commissioning.
“In the last nine months, I’ve completed 30 credit hours, so it’s taken a lot,” said Novak. “I had to pay out of pocket once I exhausted [tuition assistance], and I’ve tried to continue to stay up on my flying throughout that process. So the balance would probably just be the hardest part.”
Nearing the end of his enlisted journey from junior airman to non-commissioned officer and embarking on the commissioned route, Novak has endured and overcome several challenges and tribulations with which any Airman can empathize. Those experiences have allowed him to accumulate and hone several skills, skills which a future 2nd Lt. Novak will find invaluable.
“I would say a skill that I’ve developed, just looking at myself over the last six years now, is the emotional intelligence aspect of being a leader,” said Novak. “I really struggled, especially being 18 out of high school, just being empathetic and understanding people.
Novak reflected further on his enlisted career and the leaders who led him through his time in the Air Force.
“The person who influenced my career the most was then-Tech. Sgt. Nicole Drury, who is now a master sergeant. She invested in my personal and professional development unlike any supervisor I’ve ever had, and I can only hope I effectively apply and pass along the lessons she taught me through the rest of my career,” said Novak. “When I was at my lowest after my father passed away, she was the exact person I needed to get back on track and elevate myself further than I ever imagined.”
The prime objective of officer training school is the development of five key characteristics in its trainees: leadership, communication, professionalism, warfighting, and mission execution. As OTS has revamped their training experience to better craft warrior-minded leaders of character, Novak’s has already implemented many of these attributes in his tenure as a sergeant.
“I can speak to Airmen at a level that I’m horizontal with. I don’t feel that I’m placing myself vertically above them and it created great relationships and I’ve had good leaders who did the same thing for me.”
Novak is scheduled to leave for OTS March 14 for the eight week course to become a Combat Systems Officer.
“We need empowered, confident Airmen," said Novak. "I have made it a priority as an aspiring officer to be a servant leader and carry out the promise of transformation, even in the face of adversity.”
| Date Taken: | 03.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2025 19:10 |
| Story ID: | 492182 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,089 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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