Anthony Villacis Connects His 9/11 Experience to ERAU
Document Type
Personal Reflection
What were you doing on 9/11? (Or, What was your interviewee doing on 9/11?)
I was getting ready to go to class at the Daytona Beach Campus. I was living in Daytona Beach, FL.
How did 9/11 affect you personally and or professionally?
A few days after 9/11 I received orders to report to Patrick AFB, FL. I was activated and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of a few operations for the next 2 years. Before activation I was working through the Aerospace Engineering program with diverse younger students and prior military students, we worked together to get through the demanding course schedule and assignments. After deactivation, the group of students I had worked with for over a year in the Aerospace Program had graduated and due to my age and the higher cost of tuition, I wasn't able to complete the AE program. Instead, I used the credit earned and finished the Professional Aeronautics program at the Patrick AFB satellite site. After deactivation from the 2-year activations orders, I was offered a US Air Force Reserves Technician position. The position was a full-time job and offered benefits. This was the biggest change to my career, I often wonder what I would have been able to achieve as an Engineer. Throughout my years in government civil service, I have applied some of the technical knowledge I learned at ERAU and have become a technical expert in my field when dealing with Aircraft maintenance in the Air Force Reserves and Army Weapons systems while working with the Department of Defense. I have been successful in my field and have traveled the world and had the opportunity to live in Europe with my family, but sometimes wonder how far I would have gotten as an Engineer.
What do you want future generations of professionals, particularly those going into your field, to know about 9/11?
9/11 changed the world forever. I would say that as terrible as the event was it has opened an opportunity for innovation and created a demand for technology to increase security and surveillance. Also, as close to home as the event may have been I think we still need to respect people for what they are, get to know people and their culture, and appreciate the diversity.
ERAU Active and Alumni Graduating Class of
2005
On 9/11, what sector were you (OR your interviewee) in?
Military
Event Location
Anthony Villacis Connects His 9/11 Experience to ERAU
A few days after 9/11 I received orders to report to Patrick AFB, FL. I was activated and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of a few operations for the next 2 years. Before activation I was working through the Aerospace Engineering program with diverse younger students and prior military students, we worked together to get through the demanding course schedule and assignments. After deactivation, the group of students I had worked with for over a year in the Aerospace Program had graduated and due to my age and the higher cost of tuition, I wasn't able to complete the AE program. Instead, I used the credit earned and finished the Professional Aeronautics program at the Patrick AFB satellite site. After deactivation from the 2-year activations orders, I was offered a US Air Force Reserves Technician position. The position was a full-time job and offered benefits. This was the biggest change to my career, I often wonder what I would have been able to achieve as an Engineer. Throughout my years in government civil service, I have applied some of the technical knowledge I learned at ERAU and have become a technical expert in my field when dealing with Aircraft maintenance in the Air Force Reserves and Army Weapons systems while working with the Department of Defense. I have been successful in my field and have traveled the world and had the opportunity to live in Europe with my family, but sometimes wonder how far I would have gotten as an Engineer.
