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In a world increasingly shaped by technology and global perspectives, few individuals embody the spirit of service and adaptability like UAT Cyber Security Professor, Aaron Rodriguez. With over a decade of experience in the U.S. Air Force, Rodriguez’s journey began with a desire to travel and see the world, a goal he pursued with remarkable fervor. From his initial training at Lackland Air Force Base to assignments in Japan and South Korea, he has collected stories and life lessons that resonate far beyond military life.

Now, as an educator, he draws on his rich experiences to inspire and guide his students at UAT. In this interview, we delve into Professor Rodriguez's motivations for joining the military, his time in boot camp, and the invaluable skills he gained along the way that continue to shape his life and career today. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of a man dedicated to service, learning, and personal growth.

What were some of the reasons that you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?  

This is an interesting topic. Like many other members, I joined to travel and see the world, and in my time, I have seen Texas, Arizona, California, Washington, Japan, and South Korea. I can happily say that I got what I wanted out of that experience.  

How many years did you serve? 

I served 11 great years in the Air Force.  

Tell me a little about your time in boot camp. 

Boot camp is a strange place for several reasons. It’s normally the first time everyone around you has left home, and there are several cultures from around the world. It was the first time I had been excited, scared, and tired all at the same time.

Now, imagine you get off a bus and a team of military members are waiting for you with such an intense motivation to get you to where you need to be, and some are nice enough to make sure to move your bags with the same intense motivation. When I think back to that time, it was the most challenging but one of the most memorable times of my life. I have so many great memories of the people that I'll never forget.  

What was your primary job after training? 

My first job in the Air Force was Aircraft Armament Specialist (2W1X1), which was loading weapons on fighter jets and bombers. I must say first and foremost, that this job, was the most demanding thing I have ever done in my life, not only physically but mentally. Let me give an example: imagine that there are 15 F-16 fighter jets on the ramp, and you need to find a way to load 6 500lbs bombs on each, add two missiles and have scheduled maintenance running all at the same time. Oh, to include anything that was broken during this process or its last flight. It’s several moving parts all at the same time and learning to blend several crews of people to complete the same goal every day.  

Where were you stationed and where did you travel while in the service? 

Okay, let me build out a road for the places that I’ve been. The first place I was stationed was like everyone else who joined the Air Force and landed at Lackland AFB for basic training. Next, I was at Shappard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas for training. Afterward, I was sent to Luke AFB for my first duty station, which lasted four years, where I was sent to San Diego, Tacoma, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Davis Monthan AFB in AZ.  

After my first enlistment, I volunteered for a special duty assignment in South Korea for my Short Tour which is a one-year duty station, and you move on. In South Korea, I was lucky enough to travel from coast to coast, such as Seoul, Gyeongju, Jeju Island, Jeonju, and Buson. 

After my short tour, I was sent back to Luke AFB Because I had my family still there. Once I arrived back in the States, I transitioned to an IT role, where I was sent up and down the West Coast of the United States again until I reached 11 years.  

What rank are you most proud to have earned, and why? 

Staff Seargent was the big one for me, it’s the first time you are fully responsible for others and guiding the mission more directly. Also, I was able to complete that in three years, which is fast for someone at this point.   

Which medals or citations are you most honored to have received, and why? 

This is an interesting question because, like most of us, I have accommodation medals and good conduct, and many others, but for me, it was my Marksman ribbon. This medal has nothing to do with how well your flight stats were or where my job took me but with a skill that I developed while shooting with my father when I was younger. This might seem strange, but I joined the military at 19 and was on my own from that point forward. This meant that when my father got sick and passed, I was away, but that one ribbon that I got to wear will always be a representation of the time my father spent with me growing up.  

Tell me about some of the special people you met. 

I’ll mention two people that I feel made the biggest impact on my life. The first person was Anthony Cox. I met him when I was stationed in South Korea, and we were even roommates there for a short time while stationed there. He had an aura about him that made others feel safe and comfortable, and it was a skill that I didn’t have at the time. To further explain how he shared that skill with me, he first shared a passion with me, photography. He would explain that photography wasn’t just about taking a picture, but how the scene made you feel or how the people in the photo made you feel about what you were doing. He would then explain that everything in front of us isn’t always what it seems, just like the people you meet aren’t always what you think they are until you let them talk about themselves. He would say that we should spend more time listening to others rather than telling them what they should be doing, and it has stuck with me every day since. Life isn’t about finding a straight path, but following the winding road and learning for those who are also traveling around you.  

The second person is the woman I plan to marry, Janae Trinidad. Janae is the closest thing to sunlight that I could describe -- she’s passionate, inviting, and just fun. She’s been there during the hardest times in my life, keeping me on the right path. She has mostly taught me to be present, that there is always something going on in the world, but the moments you spend with family will last forever, and to never miss those moments.  

Tell me a funny story you experienced that could only happen in the military. 

I once had a brand-new Lt or lieutenant walking the flight line on their first week in the unit. Well, this Lt had never been to this side of the base, or even a maintenance unit before and I was tasked with walking him around to learn the ropes.  

I walk him out on the airfield and explain the dangers of being out there such as watching taxiing jets or vehicles. Everything seemed to be going well, and it seemed like he understood the dangers. Well, he said he had a meeting to go to and thanked me for walking him around, I said no problem and he was on his way inside. I took about 10 steps and heard a jet run up, I looked back just so I would know where it was and there was my Lt being blown down the flight line from the exhaust from the jet. His top was blown off, everything in his pockets went flying in the air and he went rolling around 100ft. He had a good sense of humor and laughed it off, but it was one of the funniest moments I could remember.  

Tell me a couple of your most memorable experiences. 

One of the most memorable things I got to do during my career was to fly an F-16 fight jet. Now, I didn’t get to start it up on the ground and taxied out, I was on a Fini-Flight (when aviators would fly one final flight on an aircraft before departing a unit or before never flying their aircraft again.). I got the opportunity to fly a real mission with a retiring pilot where I was allowed to fly the jet for 15-20 minutes. We Pulled 9 G’s and broke the sound barrier, all of which will only ever be done by one of the smallest groups on the planet and I’m now part of that.  

How does your military experience affect your life today? 

Another great question! The military lifestyle has been burned into my brain at this point and the most important quality I picked up was patience. It has always helped me take difficult or just uneasy situations and find a calm way to approach the situations, staying cool in hard situations.  

How did your military career lead you to your career now, and UAT? 

The best way to explain this is to credit the military with making sure I was ready for a change in job, lifestyle, and people. These skills are normally acquired over years of living life, but luckily, the military fast-tracked that which prepared me for what life had in store.  

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