Congo native living American Dream in Air Force Published July 27, 2010 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- First Lt. Patrick Mudimbi has traveled a long distance to achieve the "American Dream." A bioenvironmental engineer with the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight, the lieutenant was born in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but at age 4 moved to Kinshasa (Léopoldville). The country was once called Zaire and before that the Belgian Congo. He is the third oldest of 14 boys and four girls, including a twin sister. "My father was a colonel in the army under (then-President) Mobutu (Sese Seko)," he said. "I left there in November 1996 to further my education. It was customary for parents to send their children abroad once they completed high school. My father died before I finished high school so my mother carried on the tradition." He continued, "It was difficult to get a visa. Some people would enter countries illegally but I didn't want to do that. Fortunately, while my mother was trying to get me to Europe, a friend of mine applied on my behalf to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service lottery. The lottery provided citizens of certain nations to enter the U.S. I had to provide required documentation, including proof of good health, as well as proof that I had sufficient funds to live on for a year." When Lieutenant Mudimbi arrived in Ontario, Calif., he strove to obtain an education. "I selected Ontario because I had a distant relative there who requested that I live with her. Also, she had younger children who were born there, making it a perfect opportunity to learn English." he said. He admitted it was quite a culture shock and posed some challenges. "I didn't speak English (he grew up speaking French) and didn't have money to pay for college. The jobs I could get were limited, even with a work permit, ones that paid $4 or $5 an hour" he said. "After working full time for a while, I asked to be put on part time so I could study at the library. I disciplined myself to make the library my 'college.' I established a schedule: on Monday and Tuesday I studied English and other days it was math and sciences," he said. "I spoke with homeless people outside the library; they were the only people who would spend time speaking to me. I saw some ads about the military on TV. I knew I could get education and leadership opportunities in the service so I set a goal of enlisting within six to nine months." Lieutenant Mudimbi said his first purchase from his paycheck was a French-English dictionary. He also used a unique method to learn English. "I listened to country-western music. I was able to understand what they were saying more than with other types of music," he observed. Then it was time to find a branch of service with which to enlist. "I didn't really know which branch I wanted to join," he recalled. "Then I saw 'Aim High' and immediately knew that was what I wanted to do. Although I wasn't sure I was ready, the Air Force recruiter sent me to San Diego to take the (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)." He enlisted in December 1997 and went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "This was the first time I found myself outside my comfort zone. My dictionary was taken away and I was on my own. I really thought I would be thrown out in two days. One day they taught us how to make our bed. It had to be wrinkle-free. I had to learn by observation. I didn't know what 'wrinkle-free' was; I thought it referred to someone who was coming there. The only thing that saved me was my 'African smile.' I would open my mouth, shake my head and smile." Lieutenant Mudimbi successfully completed basic training in February 1998 and his first assignment was to Offutt AFB, Neb., as a personnel specialist. He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 while there. "My first day there I didn't have a desk or computer. My supervisor asked me to go into a small room and clean it. I closed the door and started to clean. I thought I could spend 20 years doing that and retire." The lieutenant, who began his Air Force service as an airman basic, rapidly progressed through the enlisted ranks, sewing on technical sergeant stripes within eight years. He prepared to test for master sergeant at just beyond the 10-year point. However, his goal was to obtain an education, so he applied for the Air Force ROTC program. "I studied hard and CLEPed (College Level Examination Program) a lot, acquiring 26 credits in calculus and French," he recalled. "It was a good start for my education. I started taking classes but it was a challenge. I took them during lunch, after work and on weekends." Lieutenant Mudimbi was commissioned a second lieutenant May 18, 2008, and pinned on first lieutenant rank in May. Commenting on his current duties, he said, "I love my squadron, its leadership and my job. It makes me want to perform my very best. It's all about the people and I definitely try to be a 'people person.'" He hasn't forgotten his family. He brought his mother to the U.S. in 2002. She resides with his sister in Upland, Calif. Six of his brothers and a sister attend school in Ottawa and Montreal, Canada. They try to visit one another whenever possible. He also takes the opportunity to help other siblings. His wife, Tech. Sgt. Tara Mudimbi, recently retrained into the command post career field. They reside in St. Martin with son Isaiah, 8, and daughter Patiance, 2-1/2. The Mudimbis have an assignment to Kirtland AFB, N.M., and are scheduled to arrive there next month.