Alejandro McGowan is currently serving the City of Tulsa as a Police Officer when he decided to further that service opportunity in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. McGowan enlisted in August of 2021 and is preparing to attend basic training. Upon graduating from basic training, McGowan will leave Lackland Air Force Base as an E3 or Airman First Class. His plan is to use the state tuition waiver while serving with the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa.
“I will use the tuition waiver to finish getting my mechanical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University after I graduate from basic training,” said McGowan. “I haven’t decided what I want my career in the military to look like yet but am excited to start it.”
McGowan said he has always had a passion for service and airplanes.
“I have always wanted to work with planes, and I knew the Air National Guard could provide me with the expertise to do so while helping me through college. I enjoy my current job but still wanted to branch out and try something new. The Air National Guard will allow me to continue my current job, pursue another degree, and provide me with high quality training in a field I am interested in,” said McGowan.
Although his time with the 138th Fighter Wing has been short, McGowan said he is most impressed with the people he has encountered on base.
“Thus far I have enjoyed the people I have met and the new challenge the 138th Fighter Wing has presented me,” said McGowan.
The future Guardsman said anyone looking for a way to jumpstart a career and get their college tuition covered, should consider the Oklahoma Air National Guard.
“I think the Air National Guard could be a great opportunity for those who need a way to pay for college or for those who aren’t exactly sure what they want to study in college. The military can expose you to a lot of different career fields or areas of study that may interest you, all while developing a good work ethic, a new skill, and the reputation of a military service member,” said McGowan.
