Acosta, Arturo, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I was so impressed and proud of my grandfather who served in the U.S. Army as a medic during WWII in the Pacific Theater. The idea to serve my country was further inspired by four years of U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) in high school and other family members already serving including my older brother (Air Force) and my Uncle (Marine Corps).

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Enlisted for four years (active duty) as a Security Specialist (811X0). Upon completion of my obligation, I re-enlisted in the reserves as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) for just under 29 years during which time the field morphed into the Security Forces career field (3P0X1) by combining the security, law enforcement, and combat arms branches. I started as a Fire Team Member, Fire Team Leader, then Squad Leader and finally flight chief which included an assignment as section chief of the commander's support staff. I retired on 31 July 2012 as a MSgt with a total of 32 years, 11 months and 24 days of service.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I had the privilege of deploying in direct support of four operations during my tenure; Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Southern Watch/Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. My job during all of these operations was air base defense.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest duty station in terms of on-duty job satisfaction was TUSLOG Det 193-1, Incirlik CDI, Turkey. (USAFE). I was fortunate enough to be a full-time member of the Emergency Service Team and Special Security Police Task Force at a time when terrorism was so rampant in Turkey, the country instituted Martial law to try and quell the violence.

In contrast, my assignment to the 1608 SPS, Kirtland AFB, NM (MAC) was the complete opposite. Working security in a weapons storage area day in and day out (swings and mids) was critical but so mundane despite frequent post rotations and daily flight level exercises. It was the type of assignment that drives young ambitious airman to leave the air force for fear of being stuck in that type of assignment again in the future.

After that assignment, I joined the air force reserve and continued to serve my country in that capacity for the next 28 plus years.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
This one is easy, early in my career I was selected to be a member of the Det. 193-1 Emergency Service Team (EST) while stationed at Incirlik AB, Turkey (USAFE). EST is the equivalent to SWAT or SRT as it is known today. In addition to traditional EST duties, our team also functioned as a Special Security Police Task Force (SSPTF) to combat a major theft ring operating in the area. I spent many a lonely night conducting stake-outs on rooftops, in warehouses, and even out in the boonies hoping an Asp didn't curl up next to me for warmth in the cold Turkish nights!

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I am most proud of earning the National Defense Service Medal (twice), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (twice), the GWOT Expeditionary Medal, The GWOT Service Medal, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (twice) because these medals more than any other, represent my reason, my purpose for serving.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
This is a tough one, we all want to be acknowledged for our achievements and hard work but what I really value are my unit awards which include the Gallant Unit Citation, Air Force Meritorious Unit Award, and the Outstanding Unit Award. This is why I asked my colleagues to exclude any medals, ribbons, or awards from my retirement shadow box. If you look at my shadow box all you will see are symbols of my service and my units which represent the camaraderie and lifelong friendships developed over a long career.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Unfortunately, I lost touch with him several years back but that person would be without question, Staff Sergeant Edward "Grady" Lewis. Sergeant Lewis was the NCOIC of the Emergency Service Team. As a young Airman, I was pretty good at PT and that caught the attention of the team and that's when they approached me to join. Sergeant Lewis took me in as a member of his team as if I had been a member all along. The EST team was the very definition of team cohesiveness, it had a close family feel to it. We operated independently of the rest of the squadron and reported directly to the Operations Officer so the team spent a lot of time together both on and off duty. Sergeant Lewis took me under his wing, mentored me and encouraged me to go to college. He gave me confidence in my abilities and taught me the meaning of Esprit De Corp not just for the team but for the Air Force. He set the foundation for the rest of my Air Force career and I owe all my success in the Air Force to him. If you look at the team picture, he is the tall gentleman on the right wearing a shoulder holster.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
SSgt. Edward Grady Lewis, Incirlik AB - EST NCOIC, Supervisor, Mentor, Friend - would like to make contact with;
A1C Frederick Seay, Incirlik AB - fellow EST Operator and friend - would like to make contact with;
A1C Mark Dennis, BMT and Incirlik AB - TWS Brother;
MSgt Michael Tsung, Incirlik AB and Kirtland AFB - TWS Brother.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After my first hitch in the Air Force, I re-enlisted in the reserves which allowed me to pursue a civilian career in parallel with my reserve career. I worked primarily in the aerospace and defense industry in Southern California for many years and after about 10 years, I went back to school to study computers. Shortly after graduating, I landed my first entry-level job as a computer programmer. Today, 20 years later, I am still an information technology professional (senior programmer analyst) working for a major OEM parts supplier in the automotive industry. I must say, balancing two careers, family, and school is very challenging, to say the least, but the rewards are immense personally and professionally.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
While I was still serving, I joined the Air Force Security Forces Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association. Now that I'm retired, I continue my membership with these powerful advocates for our military family. As a disabled veteran, I also became a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. There is strength in numbers so it is important that we continue our support of and affiliation with these great organizations.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
JROTC gave me the guidance I needed in high school but the Air Force and the Security Police career field, in particular, gave me structure, discipline, and the sense of purpose I sought as a young man. After a while, the Air Force way of life became second nature to me and that is what gave me the self-discipline, drive, and confidence to pursue life with vigor, not just in the military but also in the civilian world. I successfully managed two careers, earned an associates degree, bachelors degree, masters degree (MBA) and most recently Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. I credit my military background and an amazing family support system for my success.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Hang in there Defenders! Being a cop is a tough and often times thankless job but you are the tip of the spear and your service is greatly appreciated by far more people than you think. I am extremely proud of my fellow Defenders!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and The USAF

First, let me just say that I considered it an absolute honor and a privilege to serve my country and it is by far my proudest achievement. I was blessed to be able to serve my country for nearly 33 years. TWS gave me a mechanism to document, chronicle and otherwise capture my service ensuring that it does not disappear over time with my fading memory. And if that wasn't enough, it also allowed me to search for and reconnect with fellow Airman who shared my experience; that is why I am grateful to TWS and that is why I am a life member!

DS 1/5/18