My education journey: Chief promotes education with passion

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Editor's note: This article is the last in a seven-part series highlighting the journey of Edwards Airmen in completing their education.

In a span of more than 29 years, Chief Master Sgt. Nathan Dixon Jr. has accomplished the two primary reasons he joined the Air Force -- trail an honorable career in the service of his country and gain an education.

As he reaches the dusk of his career, he constantly imparts his passion for learning to his Airmen because for him, enlisted education is very important to "our service and to our nation."

"As a chief, I often have the opportunity to speak with Airmen of all ranks on a wide range of topics," said Chief Dixon, 412th Maintenance Group superintendent. "High among the topics that I speak with them about most often are goal setting and advanced education."

This is what Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Tibayan, 412th Maintenance Squadron superintendent, observed from Chief Dixon ever since they were stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

"Chief Dixon was always actively engaged in promoting education," Sergeant Tibayan said. "His passion for education inspired a lot of personnel."

'First port'

Chief Dixon entered the Air Force in 1980 and arrived at his first duty station at England Air Force Base, La., in November of that year. After 11 months, he completed his certification for initial weapons load crew training, a seven-volume career development course, and a multitude of core tasks.

"(After my upgrade training), it was only then that I was allowed to launch my off-duty education," the chief said.

In 1981, he enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force program and subsequently, at North Western State University for his first class. After three schools, two continents, three bases and seven years later, Chief Dixon arrived at the first port of his educational journey as he completed requirements for his CCAF degree in Aircraft Armament Systems Technology.

"Though I have earned only one Community College of the Air Force degree in my career, that singular degree serves as the very foundation of my career-long academic achievements," Chief Dixon said. "When I earned that degree, I was the first member of my immediate family on either side to have earned a degree."

Within the same year he received his CCAF degree, he also earned his Associate of Arts and graduated salutatorian from Saint Leo University in Florida. Two years later, he completed the requirements necessary to earn an associate of science from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from Saint Leo and graduated magna cum laude and salutatorian in 1992. After two years, he earned his Master's of Science in Human Resource Management and Development from Chapman University in California.

Roadblocks

Successful as he is, Chief Dixon has faced varied and numerous challenges. Fighting in a war, several permanent changes of stations, five natural disasters, divorce and the loss of his grandmother were some of the major obstacles he faced. Additionally, there existed a much different perspective regarding enlisted education then, than now.

"I later learned it was shunned in most corners of the force," Chief Dixon said. "Airmen planning to make the Air Force a career were labeled 'maggots.' The social stigma among my peers was less than helpful and racial tension though less prevalent than in previous decades still existed."

Helping him traverse these challenges were tenets he learned from three people -- his mother, first supervisor and a childhood mentor.

As the eldest of four, Chief Dixon said he was aware of the sacrifices his mother endured to ensure his three siblings and he had a good high school education. However, he was unwilling to further burden her with the tribulations associated with financing a collegiate education.

From his childhood mentor, he learned there are three things every man should have the opportunity to experience in life -- a college education, a wonderful marriage and fatherhood.

His supervisor provided support for his educational pursuits as well as an encouraging voice that admonished him to never stray from his goals.

Dusk

Whenever Chief Dixon talks to his Airmen, he tailors the content of the conversation to their specific needs. These topics usually include proper preparation for separating from the Air Force and choosing academic programs that best fit their goals.

"Chief Dixon will stop at a dime's notice if anyone wants to talk to him" Sergeant Tibayan said. "He makes time for his Airmen. His passion for the pursuit of educational goals is almost equal to his love for the uniform. He likes to pass off that knowledge and help mold the young folks."

In fact, he is part of Edwards' 2009 Year of the CCAF initiative that encourages Airmen to complete their degrees and mentors them as they go through their educational journey.

"In essence, I try to help them form realistic expectations," Chief Dixon said.

But the journey doesn't stop. Chief Dixon will continue on after retirement. His next goal is to work on his doctorate of philosophy degree.

"I'm very proud of my academic accomplishments thus far," Chief Dixon said. "However, I realize there is more to be done. Though I'm proud of what I've achieved in the past, learning is truly a lifelong endeavor, and I'm enjoying the journey."