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Learn family makes serving a family affair

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bobby Pilch
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Many generations have served at Joint Base Charleston, S.C, but few can claim it as a family business. The Learn family, providing 73 years of combined service, with 69 of those years spent here at JB CHS, can rightfully make this statement.

Sunday, July 24, marked a significant event in their family history when four members of the Learn family attended the same Unit Training Assembly weekend. The newest family member to join the ranks, Airman 1st Class Gordon P. Learn, a hydraulic systems specialist assigned to the 315 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in processed Saturday July 25.

This would be the first and last weekend the four family members served together, as Airman Learn's father, Chief Master Sgt. Ricky E. Learn, blue "Barracuda" aircraft maintenance unit Flight Chief, assigned to the 315 AMXS, retired Sunday September 11, 2011 after 33 years of service.

Chief Learn's interest in aircraft began as a child partially due to his father's career with Eastern Airlines as an aircraft mechanic after serving in WWII.

"The reason why I came in '78 was to get my airframe and powerplant license and follow in the footsteps of my father being an aircraft mechanic for a major airline," said Chief Learn.

His civilian career path would soon change, but his desire to remain a Reservist would not. Chief Learn found himself commuting from his home in Tampa, FL to JB CHS while working two UTA weekends per month, bringing his two sons along for the ride.

"I did not want to be alone, so I'd grab these guys and make them ride with me for seven-and-a-half hours in the car," said Chief Learn referring to his two sons who now serve with the 315 AMXS.

"I grew up on this base," said Master Sgt. Richard K. Learn, an integrated avionics craftsman assigned to the 315 AMXS. "I had the whole trip memorized."

After graduating high school in 1998, Sergeant Learn found himself shadowing the path of his father and became a member of the 315 AMXS upon completing basic training and technical school.

When asked if there was any key career advice provided from his father early on Sergeant Learn replied, "Don't screw up."

Holding true to his father's advice, Sergeant Learn was awarded the Airlift Tanker Young Leadership Award on November 7, 2008 at the Annual ATA Conference held in Anaheim, CA.

"I am proud as a peacock," said Chief Learn, referring to seeing his two sons follow in his footsteps.

Thirteen years after Sergeant Learn's enlistment, armed with the experience of college, radio broadcasting and law enforcement, Airman Learn took the oath and became a part of the Air Force Reserve.

"Looking back, it was something I should have done right out of high school," said Airman Learn. "I think back in high school or middle school we stopped coming up. I would see them go off, and it was like something was missing. Then, one day I just made that decision and said this is what I am going to do (enlist)."

Joining the Air Force Reserve comes with sacrifice and putting service before self at many important times in an airman's personal life.

"I tried to explain, while they were growing up, why I was always gone over the weekends and I missed so many soccer games, swim meets and baseball games and all that stuff," said Chief Learn. "I am glad now they understand that what I was doing was bigger than ourselves."

"We are putting an airplane in the sky that is going to hopefully save lives or get supplies to somebody or feed somebody," said Chief Learn with pride in his voice.

In additional to great sacrifice, great relationships are formed while serving. No better example than Master Sgt. Cynthia E. Learn, First Sergeant assigned to the 315th Security Forces Squadron becoming a member of the Learn family four years ago.

First Sergeant Learn marks the relationship with Chief Learn as one of her career highlights, and said she would not have married him if she did not know the type man he is today. She attributes their relationship as to the type of good people found in the military and serving in the Reserve.

As one chapter of the Air Force Reserve closes in September for a member of the Learn family, another is just beginning and two others continue to write their history and carry on the mission of the family business as part of "Team Charleston."