Cop finishes training as medic 25 years after he joined Air Force Published Nov. 24, 2009 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AFB, Miss -- A recent graduate of Keesler Medical Center's Aerospace Medical Apprentice Phase II course can serve as an inspiration to all Airmen. Staff Sgt. John Hathcock, 43, a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard, was among a class of 11 completing the six-week program. The other students were much younger. "I'm old enough to be their father," he noted. "I served on active duty in the Air Force from 1984-87," he said. "I was working in law enforcement in Lexington, N.C., when I saw the planes hit the World Trade Center towers on 9/11." He decided to enlist in the Army and at 36 went through basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., deploying for 18 months to the Samara area of Iraq. During this deployment he was injured. Following his release from the hospital in January 2005, he enlisted in the Air National Guard, becoming a life support instructor at the Charlotte, N.C., Guard base. Including his Army service, he's been deployed almost yearly since 2002. "I deployed to Afghanistan and was there when the first suicide bomber struck," Sergeant Hathcock said. "After seeing that, as well as witnessing death and injuries during my service in the Army, Air Force and civilian life, I decided I wanted to serve in the medical career field. I was assigned to the clinic at Charlotte and was sent to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to train as a medic." He completed the Sheppard Phase I program as a distinguished graduate on Aug. 7 and began Phase II at Keesler on Aug. 13. The class graduated Sept. 22. He remained here to finish Phase III training, working in the emergency department and was awarded his five-skill level. "I really enjoy this aspect of my training," Sergeant Hathcock commented. "I'm getting a lot of good experience working as a med tech in the ER. I love dealing with people. There is no better way for my faith than to help someone." The father of five is about to see his oldest son, a soldier, deploy to Afghanistan. "I have so much respect for the young men and women who volunteer to serve their county," he said. "Working with them has been so rewarding. I've been able to serve with the best. Other than marriage and the birth of my children, I've been so proud to wear this uniform." Now Sergeant Hathcock returns to his civilian profession with the Charlotte Police Department.