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Airman reaches new heights with U.S. Army

By Emily PeacockNovember 24, 2020

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley visits the Aurora Army Recruiting Station Oct. 22, 2020.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley visits the Aurora Army Recruiting Station Oct. 22, 2020. (Photo Credit: Photo by Emily Peacock) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley (right) shakes hands with Denver Army Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Michael Oleson, (left), after returning from the Military Enlistment Processing Station Oct. 23, 2020 at the Denver Recruiting Battalion. Crowley’s trip to MEPS marked his first steps in transitioning into the U.S. Army.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley (right) shakes hands with Denver Army Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Michael Oleson, (left), after returning from the Military Enlistment Processing Station Oct. 23, 2020 at the Denver Recruiting Battalion. Crowley’s trip to MEPS marked his first steps in transitioning into the U.S. Army. (Photo Credit: Photo by Emily Peacock) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley stands in front of the American flag and United States Army Recruiting Command flag Oct. 23, 2020 at the Denver Army Recruiting Battalion.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Crowley stands in front of the American flag and United States Army Recruiting Command flag Oct. 23, 2020 at the Denver Army Recruiting Battalion. (Photo Credit: Photo by Emily Peacock) VIEW ORIGINAL

AURORA, Colo. – When Master Sgt. John Crowley first entered the Aurora Army Recruiting Station, there were noticeable differences between he and the young men and women pursuing careers with the U.S. Army.

To start, the average age of an enlistee in Colorado is 19.2 years of age. Additionally, these men and women were not dressed head-to-toe in military fatigues with Air Force patches.

Crowley has spent the past decade serving as a cyber transport technician for the U.S. Air Force, where his primary responsibility was making sure the underlying infrastructure of global communications networks operated properly.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed my time in the Air Force,” expressed the 30-year-old Crowley. “It gave me a lot of opportunities I never thought I would have. It basically gave me what I couldn’t get from college.”

But after nearly 11 years, Crowley is ready for a change.

“I want to keep doing what I love, which is computer networking,” explained Crowley. “As a Warrant Officer in the Army, I’ll have the opportunity to not only advance my career, but also receive additional training and provide a better lifestyle for my family.”

Upon his inter-service transfer from the Air Force, Crowley will have to attend Army basic combat training.

“I’m not really worried about basic training,” said Crowley. “I understand what the purpose of it is, so I’m just going to go, do my best and help those around me.”

Despite his confidence, Crowley has received an outpouring of support from those who can better attest to the struggles of basic training, including from members of his own family.

Two of Crowley’s brothers served in the Army and a third served in the Navy. His mother and father served in the Air Force.

“My brothers have helped me prepare for my transition from the Air Force to the Army while also explaining how the two branches differ,” explained Crowley.

After Crowley completes his nine weeks and four days of basic training, he’ll head to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he’ll attend Warrant Officer Candidate School as a freshly minted Army Soldier.

“As a warrant officer in the Army, I’ll have the ability to keep and utilize the technical skills I’ve developed and serve as a mentor on some pretty cool assignments,” said Crowley.

Crowley is slated to attend basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in May. He has selected 255N network technician as his warrant officer military occupational specialty.

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