SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- MSgt Gersom F. Teran, an Air National Guardsman serving in the AOC’s Global Airlift Directorate, received a surprise visit last week from his coworkers in celebration of his incredible military career and to present him with a parting gift in lieu of his upcoming retirement.
“It’s exciting, transitioning to a different journey in my life,” Gersom said.
Gersom’s military aspirations first started in high-school, where he spent three years as a cadet in the Navy JROTC program. While he originally had his heart set on becoming a sailor, he quickly began exploring other career paths after he visited the USS DD785 HENDERSON with his class and learned that Sailors often spend months out at sea. He joined the Army in 1980 and spend three years as a cannon crewman 13B10 before his commander pulled him aside and recommended he pursue other opportunities.
“You don’t belong in the Army,” his commander said. “You belong in the Air Force.” He transferred shortly after.
His first assignment took him to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, where he would help support air refueling operations. He would later travel to California where he served with the 146th Airlift Wing’s “Hollywood Guard.” He joined the ACOS 11 years ago where he’s since helped support global mobility operations and further the mission of the AOC to provide unrivaled command and control to the full-spectrum of mobility operations.
While Gersom is still uncertain about how he plans to spend his well-earned retirement, after some careful thought he responded with a smile saying, “I’m going to go lay in bed and take a nap.”