Reservist reaches his life-long goal of becoming an officer

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th ABW Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  When Julian Glover was a young man, he had big dreams. While enlisted in the Air Force, he set goals for himself and achieved one recently with a little help from a friend.
 
Mr. Glover spent nine years in the active-duty military and nearly two years as a member of the Reserves. His last enlisted assignment was working military personnel issues for the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field. After he separated from active duty in 2006, he joined the Reserves with one objective in mind, to become an officer.

Mr. Glover already had a diploma in hand, a bachelor's degree in occupational education. He juggled his job as a human resource specialist for the 96th Mission Support Squadron with completing the requirements that would give him a chance at a slot at Officer Training School. He reached that goal Aug. 6, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant. 

Along the way, Mr. Glover had several chance meetings with another civilian who would ultimately play an important role in that commissioning ceremony. 

Jeff Watson is an attorney at the Eglin Law Center, specializing in government contract law. He met Mr. Glover when he in-processed into his civilian position after retiring from active duty with the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. They met again and had a chance to get to know each other during a trip to Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Mr. Glover made quite an impression on the retired colonel who was intrigued by the similarities in their background. 

"I joined the Army at 19 as an E-1 and went to school at night while on active duty," Mr. Watson said. "I had a boss who made a lot of positive comments; he would have been what is now considered a mentor, and he recommended with my grades that I go to law school. 

Mr. Watson also finished his enlistment and separated from the Army as an E-5. After completing law school and a few years in private practice, he joined the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. He retired at the rank of colonel with almost 21 years of service. 

"I connected with Julian's desire to improve himself; it's an internal drive and I saw that in Julian. All I did was give him words of encouragement to pursue his dream," he said. 

When Mr. Glover stopped by to share the news of his OTS selection, his friend promised to be there for the graduation. What Mr. Watson didn't realize at the time was he would be asked to administer the commissioning oath for the new lieutenant. 

"That's a lot more significant that being a visitor; I've promoted folks who worked for me over the years, but I've never commissioned anyone and it was quite an honor," Mr. Watson said. 

The commissioning just deepened the bond between the men; one who Mr. Glover considers a mentor. He recently sought the attorney's advice on a course he's taking towards a master's degree. 

"I will continue to keep in touch with Mr. Watson," he said. "It's nice to know someone who is willing to give back and I truly appreciate it; it is special."

Mr. Watson agrees and is glad to be able to pay back the positive influence he had in his life. 

"I'm very happy to have an opportunity to foster positive development, but I have felt that obligation since my experience in the Army," Mr. Watson said. "I try to do that with a lot of folks and am glad that Mr. Glover was one who was receptive to my help."