Attitude guides Airman in tough situations

  • Published
  • By Airman Pedro Mota
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona --  "A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes."
~ Wade Boggs, Hall of Fame athlete

Like Boggs, attitude also seems to play an important role in the life of Airman 1st Class Ryan Holland, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering technician.

Holland was born 20 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri, in a quiet little town where he spent some of his time four-wheeling near rivers and lakes.

"It was the type of town where everybody knew each other well," said Holland. "You could go into a grocery store and would know 15 to 20 people right off the bat. Personally I enjoyed playing basketball with my friends the most."

He didn't only enjoy it he was good enough to get a basketball scholarship to attend and play for Mineral Area College. Then a sudden life-changing event occurred that tested his attitude and ambition to succeed.

"Half way through training camp I tore my anterior cruciate ligament," Holland said. "I finished the semester but lost my scholarship. I had to look for a new path."

Unable to afford college, he searched for a new direction. He went to a Navy recruiting station with his brother and found being in the military the best option. I went home to think about what branch to join and remembered how my parents raised me to live by the core values that the Air Force has," Holland said. "After talking to my uncle, who had served as a crew chief in the Air Force, I decided to go with the Air Force."

Holland now works as an engineering technician who surveys land, produces floor plans using AutoCAD, and maintains data consisting of infrastructure, pavements, and utilities for Luke Air Force Base. 

"This career field was something I wanted to pursue in the Air Force because I have always been interested in construction, dealing with math and angles," Holland said. "I figured this was a good career for me, and I take a lot of pride in my work. I also appreciate the structure and military aspect of the Air Force."

Holland said he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in sports management through Grand Canyon University and wants to earn his commission as an Air Force officer.

"Hopefully that goes well," he said. "If it doesn't, I'll continue my career in the Air Force, stay in for 20 years and retire. Once I'm done, I plan to pursue my life-long dream of becoming an athletic director."