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Pilot/Lawyer: 315th AW Reservist is not your typical overachiever

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Kelly
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Charleston AFB, S.C. --  A recent pole conducted by Parenting Magazine asked parents what professions they would like to see their children undertake when they reach adulthood. The top three jobs selected were: doctor, lawyer and pilot. If this is true, Major Steve Bruce, chief of training for the 317th Airlift Squadron must have some very happy parents because he can now claim two of the top three.

Major Bruce, a 315th Airlift Wing pilot recently passed the Bar exam and is now licensed to practice law.

"I thought about going to law school while I was on active duty and the Air Force allowed me to use the tuition assistance program for my Masters degree," said Maj. Bruce. "But I couldn't pursue the law degree because the Air Force really needed C-17 guys at the time."

Maj. Bruce spent 12 years on active duty before joining the Reserve in May of 2005.

"The tuition assistance was great, but the most important reason I got to where I am is how being a Reservist helped me," said Maj. Bruce. "I went to Colonel Rick Davis and asked him if there was a way for me to fly as a Reservist and earn money while I continued to study and he was so supportive. I would encourage anyone to give the Air Force Reserve a try. People say that it is the best part-time job you could ever have, and I think that is the truth. It would not have been possible to do this without them. The Reserve is a great opportunity and a lot of guys getting off of active duty don't realize what the Reserve can offer."

Balancing flying and studying was a three-year-long ordeal that Maj. Bruce says he is glad is over. Twelve to 13 hour long days were the norm for the better part of this time and these long hours took their toll.

"My wife knew it was an investment of time and money," said Maj. Bruce. "The time investment impacted our family life mostly, but now that it is over it was all worth it. I am blessed to have my wife who has also been so supportive. It is great right now."

Now that Major Bruce is licensed to practice law, he intends to put his new skill set to use in his civilian job. He is able to put his pilot/lawyer skills to good use while practicing aviation law.

"I work for Nelson Mullins and we do a lot of aviation law, government contracting and FAA enforcement and compliance work," said the Major. "One of the really cool things is that one of the two guys I work with is a former T-38 instructor pilot, and the other is a current Navy Reserve 0-6. There is a military comfort at work that is really nice."

Lt. Col. Rick Davis, operations officer for the 317 AS calls Maj. Bruce "a true role model."

"He is a model citizen airman who shows outstanding integrity," said Lt. Col. Davis. "He's never been afraid to fight for what's right."

This is a trait that is necessary in both a pilot and a lawyer; two jobs that fit Maj Bruce like a glove.