When Alicia Martinez enrolled in the Air Force, she told her recruiter that she wanted to be a mechanic because she’d always wanted to work on cars. Shortly thereafter, she found herself stationed in Germany, learning to become an aircraft mechanic. This introduced her to a career she hadn’t considered and inspired her to pursue a degree in aviation maintenance from Penn College. She also served as president of the Student Veteran Organization and, with fellow members, introduced the first-ever Aviators Ball, which drew more than 100 students to the Lumley Aviation Center. Ten scholarships, four internships and a bachelor’s degree later, Martinez, who graduated in August 2024, is now happily employed by RSG Rotorcraft Services Group in Texas.

The happiness I feel while doing maintenance inspires me. When I did it for the first time, I felt like it was my calling, where I belonged. The want to feel that again every day: That's what pushed me where I am today. After the military, I worked jobs and felt bored, sometimes depressed. I would get up in the morning and hated going to work. I did not want to live like that for the rest of my life. I remembered how happy it made me when I was in the military and I would put on my uniform to go to work. I would smile from ear to ear and was excited for what I would learn that day. I wanted that feeling back.

Having the veteran center was definitely a perk. Meeting other vets always brings that level of familiarity that I felt in the military. They also pointed me to other resources I could use to pay for my studies. Talking with other vets also helped with knowing that you were not alone, especially as a non-traditional student. I was usually the oldest in a class.

I enjoyed the lab times. Most of us in the program learn by doing. Getting our hands dirty is always fun. 

I also had teachers who pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me believe that I could become a mechanic if I really wanted it. For that, I will be forever grateful.