WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Rank/Name: Master Sgt. Patrick O'Reilly
Unit: 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Duty Title: Public Affairs superintendent/photojournalist
Hometown: Military brat. I was born in Zaragoza, Spain and graduated high school in Riverside, Ohio.
Civilian Job: Public Affairs assistant
Education: Associate degrees in fine arts and geography at Sinclair Community College; Associate degrees in fitness, recreation, and services management and public affairs at Community College of the Air Force
Hobbies: Photography, art, food (eating and cooking), movies, video games, camping and volunteering with art venues in Yellow Springs and Dayton.
Career Goal: Retire from the reserve and civilian position. I plan to develop my own photography and art business and travel before I wither and die.
What do you like about working at the 445th? The mission, the people and the adventure. I enjoy taking photos of Airmen in action, showcasing what they do to a learning audience.
Why did you join the Air Force? Not sure. I went into the services career field with the 178th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard in Springfield, and later cross-trained into public affairs. After the 178th lost the fighter mission I transferred to the 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office. After four deployments, 10 years of honor guard, and many TDYs I can say that I have received a considerable amount of life experience. The people and the adventures experienced throughout my military career is, in hindsight, why I joined and is why reasons were developed as to why I just never left.