Why I stay: Staff Sgt. Kyle Duncan Published Aug. 5, 2024 By Julie Svoboda 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It might not have been fate that led Staff Sgt. Kyle Duncan to enlist in the Air Force, but according to the Fuels instructor, “Every door seemed to open up right in line.” He’s not leaving everything up to chance, though, as he excels in his current role and plans the next steps in his Air Force career. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Duncan poses in front of a jet painted with the Thunderbirds motif. Duncan is an instructor at the 82nd Training Wing's Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant schoolhouse. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Duncan was studying graphic design in Greensboro, North Carolina, when he realized during a senior year internship that it wasn’t the career he wanted. While working at a motorcycle dealership, he started thinking about what he wanted for his future – a career with benefits, stability and the opportunity for promotions. He asked his manager for advice. “Turns out my manager and these two other personnel were all prior Air Force,” he said. “They got out for different reasons, but when they started talking to me, each one of them said that if they could get back in finish up their career with military they would. I wasn't sold on the idea of in the military. I told them to let me think about it overnight.” Duncan mulled over the possibilities that night, not expecting another coincidence to come his way so quickly. “The very next day, an Air Force recruiter from Virginia drove all the way down to look at a specific bike that we had,” he said. “I got in contact with him and got to talk to him for a little bit. He said, ‘first thing we got to do is take the ASVAB, see what kind of jobs you're open for.’ And I scored well enough that everything opened up.” Duncan chose explosive ordnance disposal as a career, signing the papers as he was still out of breath from the physical fitness test required for the job. He spent a year in the program before washing out, then he assigned Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants as his career field. Although it wasn’t part of his initial plan, he grew to love the job. “I really like certain aspects of the job itself because within POL there's different sections that you can be working,” he said. “You can be working one section for six months and then go over and work another section, it keeps things fresh. There are also opportunities to PCS. I like moving and being able to start fresh with a new shop, new work group. But another one of the benefits, is that it's a smaller career field. You see people constantly throughout your career. You’re reuniting with old friends. Just today, I ran into vehicle maintenance personnel that I was deployed with five years ago in Africa.” If things aren’t going your way, you should focus on fixing it and making it better. Don’t give up and throw away something good. Every job, military or civilian, will have times that will be stressful. Staff Sgt Kyle Duncan With the encouragement and support of his wife, Andrea, Duncan stepped up his career goals several years ago. He completed his associate’s degree through Community College of the Air Force and started working on a bachelor’s degree with the goal of becoming a commissioned officer. “About four years ago, I started thinking, ‘I’m capable of it. I’m qualified for it. I know it’s going to be challenging, but I want to go for it,” he said. He submitted a package after he completed his bachelor’s degree, but it didn’t go far. “I finished my Bachelor's, which I took a different direction rather than graphic design. It gave me a GPA that qualified me for OTS, but it wasn't competitive. Even though I met all the requirements, and submitted my first package, I got very little feedback from my leadership at the time. But that feedback came in the form of ‘we're not going to endorse you; you might as well just set your sights on being a senior NCO climbing the ranks as enlisted.’ And that was it.” Undeterred, Duncan sought advice from a mentor who pinpointed his weak areas and told him what needed to change to make his package more competitive. He went on to do more volunteer work while completing a master’s degree with a higher GPA. With his sights set on a commission and a career as a remotely piloted aircraft pilot, Duncan doesn’t let his vision of the future block what he can do for others in the present, including encouraging his fellow Airmen to aim high and helping them achieve their goals. “I like to see people accomplish things,” he said. “I love it when I see my Airmen get coined or get letters of appreciation. I've had a few airmen get Below the Zone packages selected. To me that's the definition of success -- seeing others succeed in their goals. I love teamwork. I don't believe anyone gets anywhere without that. My success is not based off my accomplishments alone, because I've got a great team here at the Sheppard POL schoolhouse that have been helping me get to where I want to be. I want to be that person that people can rely on that if they're setting goals for themselves. I want to make sure they get there.” For those who have second thoughts about making the Air Force a long-term career, he offers some advice. “There are times when things get tough and you think about how things might be better as a civilian,” he said. “I don’t believe that those tough times should be a reason to separate. If things aren’t going your way, you should focus on fixing it and making it better. Don’t give up and throw away something good. Every job, military or civilian, will have times that will be stressful. I’ve built a career here and I see the impact that I’ve made on the Air Force and those around me. I choose to stay in the military for two reasons. First, I have a beautiful wife whom I love to provide for. Second, I love this journey, the permanent changes of station, deployments, temporary duty, and the friends I’ve made along the way. I love it all.”