Photo By Sgt. Elizabeth Cole | Lt. Col. Jordan Clouse, deputy staff judge advocate for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th...... read more read more
HONOLULU - “Clear!” the pilot yelled looking around. He started the engine of the Cessna 172R, an airplane with a cockpit no larger than the inside of a sports car, in preparation for a short flight around the island of Oahu.
With his headphones secured tightly to his head and the microphone kissing his lips, he looked down to read the pre-flight checklist he had placed in his lap. Turning knobs and switching gauges, he was mentally checking one item off the list at a time.
Within minutes the plane was soaring just below the clouds.
Being a licensed pilot and a practicing lawyer is all in a day’s work for Lt. Col. Jordan Clouse, deputy staff judge advocate for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command at Fort Shafter Flats.
Recently, he found a way to combine his love for flying with his everyday job.
He and a colleague were called to Maui to help provide powers of attorney, wills and legal consultations to Reserve soldiers. Clouse saw the mission as a chance to put his skills to good use.
“We had battle assembly that weekend so we went to first formation at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday and left straight from there to Honolulu Airport. We were off the ground by 8:30 a.m.,” explained Clouse. “We flew to Maui and were set up for work by 10:30 a.m. After we saw about 20 Soldiers, we were done by 1:30 p.m., and flew home. The best part was, we still made it in plenty time for our 4 p.m. final formation”
Clouse explained he was able to support the mission about three and a half hours quicker and a lot cheaper than using commercial air, and it was all done in one duty day.
“I don’t think I did anything special,” Clouse said humbly. “Basically I saw a job that needed to get done, so I did it.”
Clouse’s love for flying began on his 15th birthday when his mom surprised him with a flight over Cedar Rapids, Iowa as a gift.
However, it wasn’t until Clouse moved to Hawaii that the itch he’d had for flying all these years was finally scratched.
“We all make excuses, and I got tired of putting off my dream,” explained Clouse. “I couldn’t think of too many other places I would want to learn how to fly.”
In June of 2010, Clouse began his lessons. By Sept. 2, he was on his first supervised solo flight. On Sept. 11 he flew by himself for the first time, and on Dec. 7 he was a licensed pilot.
“Those are very significant days in military history. My supervised solo was done on the anniversary of the end of World War II; Sept. 11 is the day we’ll never forget, and, I was licensed on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. What better way to symbolize my experience?” explained Clouse.
After more than 30 years in the Army, Clouse plans to retire no later than 2016. In the meantime, he is preparing for life after the military.
“I’m not sure what path I’m going to take after retirement,” said Clouse. “I have so many options. I could be a flight instructor, or continue to practice law and be able to fly and meet clients. We’ll see what the future holds.”
While he may not know what direction he’ll take, Clouse said whether it’s professional or for personal enjoyment, flying will always be a huge part of his life.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2011 20:13 |
| Story ID: | 70630 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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