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U.S. Air Force photo by John Ingle /Airman 1st Class Nathalie Olarte, a 362nd Training Squadron crew chief apprentice course student, deconstructions a C-130 Hercules landing gear brake system to take a deeper look at the components at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 21, 2022. The 362nd TRS is employing virtual, augmented and mixed realties as part of Technical Training Transformation, or T3, a concept that brings technology into the classroom to enhance the learning capabilities of Airmen in Training.
When a virtual meeting of military minds occurred in mid-January, Clay County native Kyle Ingram was one of the participants. A Sheppard Air Force Base press release gave details about the event.
“A group of subject matter experts and contractors met Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan.18-19 to conduct a mid-program review and verify procedures, reactions, sounds and haptics of all aerospace ground equipment, C-130 systems and flight control environments. The group also discussed new initiatives moving forward such as including more virtual aircraft into each component, virtual marshalling scenarios for students, inspection concepts and others."
As Career Development Program Manager at Sheppard Air Force Base, Ingram explained his role: “The work I do currently is to develop courses for the incoming Airmen. Lead instructor cadre through classroom and hands-on aircraft maintenance training,” he said. “Oversee scheduled and unscheduled maintenance actions on 96 aircraft; initiate staff actions for USAF and international student advancement and coordinate with air staff and major commands ensuring training programs meet total force requirements for 21 Air Force Specialty Codes.”
The 2007 Hayesville High School grad did not set out to do this work. After high school graduation, he attended Young Harris College for one year. Then he joined the Air Force, although it was not his first choice. “When I first brought up the military, I talked to my grandpa, Robert Long,” Ingram said. “I told him I wanted to follow in his footsteps and join the U.S. Army. He chuckled and said, ‘No, you don't want to do that and I don't want you to either.’”
Surprised, Ingram had asked why not? “To which he replied, ‘If you are to follow in my footsteps, I want you to do what I should have done when I joined. You need to join the Air Force,” Ingram recalled. “I don't want you living in tents everywhere you go. They have better food on their bases. You have more opportunities to succeed and are better taken care of. You have more chances to see the world and take care of your family. Think about it, call the recruiter and set up your appointment and I'll take you down there.’”
Ingram added, “So really it wasn't my choice, it was my Pappy's, but I do not regret that choice. I would not have been able to do half the things I have gotten to do if I had joined a different branch. Every time I spoke to him, he made sure I knew how proud of me he was and still does.”
Since then, he has earned two Associates of Arts degrees through the military. One is Instructor of Technology and Military Science and the other is Aviation Maintenance Technology. In addition, he has an Associates of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and he should graduate in late 2022 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Project Management.
“My newest and biggest job is innovating the way we teach our airmen today and advancing the Air Force Technical Training into the 21st century valued at more than $31 billion,” Ingram continued. “This lends itself directly to my BS in project management.”
He “sort of stumbled on” the job he does for the military. “I have held a lot of different positions in the military ranging from journeyman, craftsman, noncommissioned officer in charge, instructor, instructor supervisor, along with a few others and now a managerial position,” he said. “The spot opened up and was offered to me and I did not hesitate. This was a position that could change the entire Air Force, so I had to take it. I made the decision about the position because it falls in line with my educational goal of project management and career progression.”
As a young man, Ingram, was indecisive about his future. “I can honestly say I probably dreamt about doing anything and everything,” the son of Scott and Kristi Ingram laughed. “I probably drove my family insane with how many times I changed my mind. I just wanted to do sports for the rest of my life. Run cross country, track and play baseball and soccer. I honestly think that's why the military has played such a huge role in my life. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I just wanted to do something important and make my family proud. I idolized my grandpa and my dad. I tried working with my dad and soon found out I was not cut out for that type of work. I could never be as good as my dad is in his career and I know that. So I talked to my grandpa about the military. I do not regret that decision at all.”
When asked if he may return to Clay County, he replied. “WNC will always have a special place in my heart and while I would love to move back there, I will most likely be moving elsewhere as my career in the military has given me a lot of opportunities that rely on me being elsewhere,” he said. “With more jobs opening up the remote working opportunities, living in Clay County is not out of reach. I would absolutely consider it if the opportunity presented itself.”
In the meantime, Ingram has goals. “My immediate plan is to finish this massive project of helping to move the Air Force out of the age-old way of teaching and into the newest most technological force there is-keeping the U.S. military at its peak weapons system operation,” he said. “Future plans have yet to be decided as the further I get in my career, more and more opportunities arise. I would like to retire back to the property my grandpa loved dearly in Kentucky and work remotely for one of the companies I already have connections with that work with the Department of Defense so I can continue to progress the military training and lethality.”
Ingram believes his success is owed to many people, including some from here. “It is not and will not ever be forgotten. Memories from my favorite babysitter Diane Buckner and her husband Joe and his biscuits, along with all their children,” he said. “My closest friends Allan Stegner and Evan Leinbach and their families always kept me out of trouble. My high school cross country and track heroes always walked to my house with me after school until we started practice. I could never replace any of my time from Clay County. As much as I have traveled around the world and seen different cultures, countries, states, etc. There is nothing like Clay County. The hospitality and homey feel of the tri county area is just on another level. Nothing even comes close.”
He thanked his family for their encouragement. “I would mainly like to mention my closest family for all their support of my entire military career thus far and always pushing me to do my best,” he said. “Always giving me the best advice possible, even if I don't always listen. As the oldest son, that's my job, make the mistakes so my younger brother doesn't have to. For the people I would like to specifically mention are both parents, Kristi and Scott Ingram; my brother Dakota; my dearest grandmother, Peggy Long, and my fiancé, Pamela Barton for all the support and love you all have given me throughout my life thus far. There are many more I would love to mention but I know you all know exactly who you are as you all made sure to reach out to me and help me through the death of my grandfather who meant the world to me. I could never ask for a better community than my hometown.”