Photo By Tech. Sgt. Apryl Hall | U.S. Air Force Reserves Staff Sgt. Hannah Hart poses for a photo with the U.S. Space...... read more read more
Hannah Hart had a gut instinct she was making the right decision when she got full body chills as she said the Oath of Enlistment. It wasn’t her first or even second time giving the oath, but it was definitely different this time, she said.
“It just meant more this time,” Hart said. “It’s new, it’s exciting and it’s a time for new adventures.”
Hart officially became the first-ever prior service member to join the United States Space Force, when she raised her hand to enlist on April 22, 2022.
Serving was always a part of Hart. She was an active duty Airman for four years, but switched to the Air Force Reserves while she went to school full time to pursue an eventual commission. Uninspired and not enjoying her time as a full-time student and not working, a unique opportunity presented itself and piqued her interest immediately, she said.
“I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go back active duty but in the Space Force,” Hart said.
She was also being presented this opportunity from who she calls “the best recruiter ever;” her husband Jeff, who happens to be the U.S. Air and Space Force enlisted accessions recruiter in their community of Davenport, Iowa.
“In most situations, nobody looks out for you more than yourself, but this wasn’t the case for me,” she said. “My husband was doing everything he could to process my application perfectly and faster than on-time.”
In fact, the Harts began the application process in late January of this year, and Hannah began technical training as a United States Space Force Space Systems Operator on April 28th. The hasty work done by Jeff allowed Hannah to be the first of her kind.
“When I heard I was the first ever prior-service enlisted member of the United States Space Force, I knew I made the right decision,” she said. “I have never been the first to do anything, so to make history like this, it’s awesome!”
Her recruiter was happy about the news as well.
“When I first talked to her in late January, we had a quick chat about a career path to see her happy and not stressing about being a college student,” Jeff said. “I never imaged that one conversation would lead to her enlisting in the USSF and making history by being the first-ever prior service member to swear in. I’m so excited for her!”
On her new path, Hannah plans to continue her studies for her bachelor’s degree and still work toward a commission. Her main goal however, she said, is to use her prior service experiences to help her new teammates be successful in all they do, helping to shape the new generation of Guardians.
Hannah’s biggest takeaway from this process?
“Never be afraid to try something new,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2022 09:58 |
| Story ID: | 420383 |
| Location: | DAVENPORT, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 332 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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