Siblings Follow In Father's Footsteps
(July 10, 2011) |
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July 1, 2011 -- Members of the Dierlam family, each a colonel, pose for a photo
on after the youngest sibling, Todd, pinned on the rank of colonel. Each of the Dierlam children attended the Air Force Academy outside Colorado Springs, Colo., and was commissioned by their father. Featured in the photo from left to right are Col. Todd Dierlam, deployed to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan; Col. Tish Norman, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; retired Col. Mark Dierlam and Col. Scott Dierlam, stationed at the Air Force Academy office in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo) |
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TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS - 7/6/2011) -- It is not
uncommon for children to decide they want to embrace new experiences
when they graduate from high school and begin forging their own path
in life, facing the unknown.
This was not the case for now
retired Col. Mark Dierlam. Each of his three children chose to
follow in his footsteps seeking a commission in the Air Force. Col.
Todd Dierlam is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas as the 376th
Expeditionary Operations Group commander, Col. Scott Dierlam is the
director of the U.S. Air Force Academy Office in Washington, D.C.,
and Col. Tish Norman is the Reserve advisor to the 24th Air Force
commander at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
"He didn't push
the Air Force, but I could see how much he enjoyed serving," Scott
Dierlam said. "Also, I saw firsthand all the great opportunities the
Air Force offered."
Each of the Dierlam children attended the
U.S. Air Force Academy located outside Colorado Springs, Colo., and
was commissioned by their father.
"Growing up with a father
who was a Texas Aggie and an Air Force pilot, I always thought I'd
become an officer and fly," said Todd Dierlam, who soon departs the
Transit Center to return to Patrick AFB, Fla. "My dad always said
you can go to school anywhere you want ... but I'll pay for you to
go to Texas A&M. Not that there is anything wrong with Texas A&M --
I still root for them come football season -- but we all just found
an alternative in the AFA. My sister learned about the AFA and
decided to go. It was a very natural decision for me to make with my
sister and brother there." |
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Throughout the years the Dierlam siblings have had
opportunities to serve together, creating several lasting
memories.
"All three of us were together at the
Academy my freshman year, (which was my) sister's senior
year and (my) brother's sophomore year," Todd Dierlam said.
"Then, my sister was a Squadron Officer's School instructor
when I went through SOS at Maxwell AFB, Ala. I showed up at
intramural volleyball and discovered she was the referee.
During the match, she called me for a carry that to this
day, I firmly believe it was not. (I'm) still not over it."
The two brothers, both C-17 Globemaster III pilots,
served together for a year with the 14th Airlift Squadron at
Charleston AFB, S.C.
"I remember my squadron
commander coming to me in the flight planning area with an
inbound rip (notification) with my brother's name on it,"
Todd Dierlam said. "He asked me if I recognized the name. I
said yes. He said ... sponsor him. So I did."
The
times the family members served at the same location has
meant a lot to them.
"Two of my career highlights
include the one year all three of us were cadets at the Air
Force Academy, and the year Todd and I served together in
the 14th AS," Scott Dierlam said.
As the years
passed, the Dierlam siblings chose to embrace the Air Force
and like their father, each attained the rank of colonel.
"We were very proud to see they had all achieved
this distinction," Mark Dierlam said. "It was the
collimation of many years of hard work on their part."
Despite the miles the Air Force has often placed between
them, they agree the family has remained close.
"The
one challenge associated with us all serving is the limited
amount of time we are able to spend together," Scott Dierlam
said. "However, with all the technology advances, it is
easier and easier to stay connected."
The brothers
believe there are numerous rewards to having a few Airmen in
the family.
"I love serving in the Air Force and it
is great to have family members who share this love and
truly understand what you are going through," Scott Dierlam
said. "We never run out of things to talk about and we
constantly run across common friends."
"I like to
talk about three F's, faith, flag -- meaning service to
country and the Air Force -- and family. Those are my
priorities," Todd Dierlam said. "It's nice to be able to
share all of those aspects together with my siblings. It's
been great to be able to share experiences throughout our
careers." |
By USAF TSgt. Tammie Moore
376th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Officet
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided by Air Force News Service
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