From Ph.D. to DLI to OTS

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Jackson
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
Not all enlisted enlist equally. Coming from many backgrounds, nations, classes, races, and even education, the Air Force enlisted corps is made up of all possible combinations the human race has to offer.

Airman 1st Class Toan Tran, 517th Training Group student, comes to the Air Force enlisted corps with a doctorate in Musical Arts from Arizona State University.

“It is a music education degree with a focus on bassoon performance, my primary instrument,” said Tran.

Born in Vietnam, Tran immigrated to America with his family when he was four years old. His student career taking place in the states, entirely. After graduating, Tran enlisted. He is now considering commissioning via officer training school, feeling he can impact the mission in bigger ways and those serving with him.

“I enlisted because I felt that I needed to head in a different direction with my life,” said Tran. “I spent nine years studying music at the college level but in the end I didn't feel like it was something I wanted to make a lifelong career out of. I originally chose to enlist because I felt that the language training I would gain at the Defense Language Institute, on the path to becoming a cryptologic language analyst, would be invaluable.”

Tran graduated with high scores in Modern Standard Arabic. He awaits February, when the release of the OTS results come out.

“I do not foresee returning to civilian life any time soon,” said Tran. “I hope to commit a full career to the Air Force.”