445th Airlift Wing officer's son following family tradition

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Family and friends gathered in the office of Col. Anna Schulte, 445th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group commander, to witness her administer the Oath of Enlistment to her youngest son, Kristofer, who's joining the Air Force Reserves.

"This makes all the Schultes members or prior members of the Air Force Reserves. Kris is my last one," Colonel Schulte said.

Upon completion of Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Kristofer will be assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, as a traditional reservist. He will be a preparedness Airman in the 910th Civil Engineer Squadron.

"This is an exciting day for me. I'm happy to be doing this and proud that I'm continuing a family tradition," Kristofer said.

Colonel Schulte said Kristofer is currently attending college at Clark State University. "We do not have his dates yet for BMT, hopefully soon. He'll continue with school until that time," she said.

The 910th Airlift Wing is no stranger to the Schulte family. Prior to arriving at the 445th Airlift Wing, Colonel Schulte was the maintenance group commander and her husband, John, retired as the mission support group deputy commander.

"It's great that Kristofer wants to follow in our footsteps. It's something he wanted to do and I fully support him," John said.

Colonel Schulte's mother, Mary, and dad, Al, enjoyed the ceremony. Al spent 30 years in the Air Force and retired as a chief master sergeant. He served in Vietnam and had a maintenance background. Members on Mary's side of the family served in both World War I and World War II.

On John's side of the family, his father retired as a captain in the Navy after serving for 28 years. He flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam and served as commander of the USS Midway, CV-41. John's grandfather was in boot camp when World War II ended.

Prior to Kristofer, Colonel Shulte's oldest son, Bray, was the last of the Schulte family to enlist. He's currently a senior airman assigned to the 445th Security Forces Squadron.

"It was a great day for the family and continuing our military tradition," Colonel Schulte said. "I've done my job!"