Master Sgt. (Ret.) Robert Rupp joined the Air Force in 1984 where he spent his first 12 years as a medical service specialist.
Rupp then retrained into radiology until becoming a first sergeant for the last three years of his enlistment. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. He also deployed to Panama for Operation Just Cause and to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Rupp claims his favorite assignment was when he was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He says that this was his favorite base not only because of the mission but also because of how much he was able to travel with his family.
One of his favorite memories in the Air Force is when his father, who served in the Air Force for 28 years before retiring, was able to re-enlist him in the back of a C-130 while they were flying during an exercise.
The main highlight of Rupp’s career was the three years he spent as a first sergeant. “It was a goal of mine as a young Airman…I just knew that was the thing for me,” Rupp said.
After retiring from the Air Force he went on to become the CEO of Harris Hospital in Newport, Arkansas. He attributes his success to the skills and training he learned while in the Air Force and highly recommends that all Airmen take advantage of all opportunities they can to pursue higher education.