Photo By Staff Sgt. Madi Sylvester | Air Force Reserves Technical Sgt. Stephen Hunt, 301st Munitions Maintenance Squadron...... read more read more
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas--
There's always that one person in life people look at and think, "There's no way they can possibly do it all." And then they do.
Juggling a career, family, and personal ambitions can all feel overwhelming. That is, until someone like Air Force Reserves 301st Munitions Maintenance Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief Technical Sergeant Stephen Hunt is met.
Being born abroad to a successful, intelligent Burmese mother and a U.S. Marines father stationed at the Embassy, one could say that both adventure and a Legacy of Valor are hereditary.
"As a kid, I was always outside gathering my neighborhood friends for some kind of game or adventure. As an adult I've done everything from bull riding to to sky diving," Hunt recalls. "I grew up watching tons of military documentaries, movies and TV shows with my grandpa [an Army Veteran]. I wanted to be just like the characters."
With the military being family affair, Hunt said he always knew he wanted to join the military. After his Aunt, a professor in Burma, was shot to death in a terrorist attack his future was solidified.
"I wanted to liberate the oppressed. I wanted to protect the innocent. I wanted to find glory in sacrifice."
After high school Hunt left Indiana, where he grew up, to do just that. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served six years on Active Duty at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. In 2019 Hunt transitioned to the Reserves and decided to serve and protect in yet another way, public office.
"My time in the military was the key factor in steering me toward seeking public office." Hunt stated. "While in the Air Force, I had the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. I keenly believe that America's younger population is the future, and I don't want to make the mistake of not participating in my own future."
Hunt recently ran for Abilene City Council and is currently the Chairman of the Libertarian Party in Taylor County as well as a member of the county’s political districting board.
Having the opportunity to expand his knowledge and drive to help others in both stateside and deployed locations, Hunt attributes his leadership styles to that thirst of knowledge and the Air Force Core Values.
"I fully intend to adhere to them [Core Values] while in politics," Hunt says. "In fact, one of my main motivators to hold office was the fact that I saw an absence of integrity, service, and excellence in many of our elected officials."
He is often featured in local news for helping out the community. Whether it be working emergency services during snow storms or pulling people out of flood waters in the summer, Abilene knows that they can count on him to be out in the thick of it. And if you ask him if it's all a part of the plan to get votes, he'll tell you absolutely not.
"One thing I vividly remember about growing up in Indiana is how much we helped each other out," Hunt stated. "So, I suppose what compels me to help others is that it is, in essence, no different than saying thank you to someone who opens a door for me. It simply doesn’t feel right to not do."
Hunt's passions in life are enumerable. Adventurer, new father, devoted husband, Airman. No matter what path he seems to find himself going down, the common denominator is simply, "He helps."
"When you think about it, I’ve always had a desire to help people and change things for the better. In its pure and innocent form, that’s what politics should be about," Hunt says. "The most important part of being involved is being there when they need you and pushing them toward self improvement. Doing those two things can literally save a persons life."
Hunt continues to inspire and better himself in and out of uniform. His parting knowledge for anyone who feels like they aren't capable of the same?
"Being afraid of failing or being labeled as weird and different will hold you back more than anything else in life. If you’re waiting for the perfect time do something, it’s never going to happen. The perfect time to do something is right in this moment because it’s the only moment we’re guaranteed in life."
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2021 17:23 |
| Story ID: | 407970 |
| Location: | DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Excellence in All We Do, One Airman's Commitment to Greatness, by SSgt Madi Sylvester, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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