Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. TJ Butler is currently working as a flight chief assistant and trainer with the 151st Security Forces. Butler has come from a long line of military family members dating back to the Civil War.
“I think one of the things I like most about being in the guard is our flexibility. We have fewer resources, we have a substantial mission, we have to work, the majority of us, part-time,” said Butler. “So, I think the flexibility that's built into our members, just inherently by the nature, of not being able to do this job full time with all the cool high-speed stuff and all the best equipment out there it enables us to keep thinking outside the box.”
Tech. Sgt. Butler has been a part of Security Forces for his entire 11-year Air Force career. He is also currently working on his civilian career in law enforcement. He has ambitions of being on S.W.A.T. and working as a patrol officer eventually wanting to become a firearms instructor. Being able to take experience from the military and use it on the civilian side and being able to bring his experience from the civilian side to Security Forces gives Butler more experience to train others and allows for a better force.
Butler goes on to say “We have a small wing because we have specialized missions that require specialized people. So, find that specialty, and be good at it because truly there are organizations on this base that do things that no one else in the state does. As long as you're positive about it, and as long as you fight for it, you can maximize your professional potential by being in the guard.”