Everyone serving in the armed forces reaches a point where they ask themselves: Do I stay in or do I get out?
For the past 15 years in the U.S. Air Force, I found myself grappling with that very question every 2-3 years. I had signed up to serve my country for at least 5 years, but every year after that was a decision to further hone my skills as a leader and contribute to a mission larger than myself. But a persistent thought gnawed at me—the idea of truly choosing where I lived. For me, that meant a desire to be in the mountains.
Skiing, alpine climbing, and the raw beauty of the mountains have always been a driving force in my life. The idea of settling down somewhere like Colorado, Montana, or Utah, where I could wake up to snow-capped peaks and endless trails, was undeniably appealing. The military, for all its opportunities, had dictated my location for years. The thought of reclaiming that choice was intoxicating.
But then came the counterarguments.
First, I had built a career that I was proud of, and despite the challenges, I still felt a deep sense of purpose in wearing the uniform.
Second, the financial security and benefits the military provides—particularly retirement and healthcare—were hard to ignore.
Finally, I wasn’t blind to the realities of transitioning out. I knew that finding a job with the same level of stability, responsibility, and fulfillment wouldn’t be easy.
I also had to be honest with myself about my lifestyle. Would moving to a mountain town automatically guarantee me more time on the slopes or in the backcountry? Would I truly be happier if I traded military life for an uncertain civilian career? It was easy to romanticize the idea of a new life, but the reality was more complex.
As I evaluated my options, I realized something important: I had been managing my career in a way that allowed me to take advantage of what was in my immediate area, and I could continue to do so. While the Air Force might not station me in Jackson Hole or Telluride, I had still found ways to maximize my outdoor time over the years. Whether it was ski trips to nearby mountains, rock climbing on TDYs, or trail running in the local area, I had cultivated a lifestyle that balanced my passion for the outdoors with my commitment to service.
One of the biggest factors in this balance was how I approached duty station and job decisions. Rather than following the traditional path that maximized my chances of making O-6—such as spending tours at the Pentagon or going to graduate school—I opted for assignments that kept me closer to the outdoors. These choices took my career to non-traditional places, but up to this point, they have not hurt my promotion potential. In some cases, they even unexpectedly helped, as unique experiences and diverse assignments made me a more well-rounded officer.
The U.S. Air Force, at least up to the rank of O-6, has shown more flexibility than many assume. Whether this approach will affect my chances of promotion beyond that rank remains to be seen, but for now, it has allowed me to maintain both my career trajectory and my passion for the outdoors.
Ultimately, that balance is what tipped the scales in favor of staying in. I realized that with deliberate career management and an intentional approach to assignments, I could still find ways to chase my passions while continuing to serve. No, I might not get to choose the exact mountain town I wanted, but I had the flexibility to make the most of wherever I was stationed. Whether that was trips into Vermont or New Hampshire for skiing, surfing and skiing in Southern California, or slightly extended drives into the Colorado mountains from the Front Range, I made it work. I also recognized that staying in the Air Force meant keeping the camaraderie, structure, and sense of mission that had defined my life for so long.
So, I made my choice: I would continue serving. The mountains would always be there, and as long as I was willing to adapt and seek out opportunities, I could have the best of both worlds—service to my country and an adventurous, fulfilling life outdoors.