HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. Soldiers in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade had a unique opportunity to meet with a member of the Army Astronaut Program, March 19 at Hunter Army Airfield's Hunter Club.

Lieutenant Colonel Shane Kimbrough, a U.S. Army Astronaut, spoke to Soldiers and Army Civilians on Hunter about his recent mission on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

"I wanted to share my experiences and let (others) know about the possibilities (the Army offers)," said Kimbrough. "I wanted to let them know that there's something else out there in the Army. They would love it up there. It's a great place to work."

Kimbrough's first duty station was at Hunter, where he served as a former Viper in the 1st Aviation Battalion, 24th Infantry Division before the unit was reflagged to its current moniker, 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. The current 1/3 Avn. Commander Lt. Col. Mike Musiol has been friends with Kimbrough for 15 years and invited the astronaut back to his old duty station to speak to Soldiers.

"I wanted to inform those who may not want to stay in the conventional Army and let them know they may want to look into the astronaut program," Musiol said of Kimbrough's invitation.

Kimbrough encourages those who wish to apply for the Army Astronaut Program to be persistent.

"I applied four times to get accepted," Kimbrough said. "Be patient, and have a lot of perseverance. If it's something you really want to do, then I (encourage you to) keep expanding your education."