Section I: Technical Sergeant Andrew Branson, where are you now?
I am currently stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, SC. I have been married for 6 years to Heidi. I have a 5 year old son, Jack, and a 2 year old daughter, Molly. Heidi is a registered nurse, and originally from Rochester, NY. We met while I was stationed in Las Vegas, NV. My Air Force specialty is Civil Engineering, Utilities Systems.
Section II: Q & A
SORSN: Tell us what you have been up to since you graduated from Midway High School in 1993?
Andrew: After graduation, I attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville for a year before enlisting in the Air Force in 1994. After basic training, I spent my first 3 years at Hickam AFB in Hawaii, everyone’s dream assignment! I guess I got lucky. I then spent 4 years in Las Vegas, and have been in South Carolina now for almost 4 years. I recently received an assignment to Spangdahlem AB, in Germany, and will leave November ’05. My wife and I are pretty excited about that.
SORSN: Tell us some of the places you have visited since joining the United States Air Force? Any favorites? Any, shall we say, not so favorites?
Andrew: I have been to so many places since being in. I already mentioned Hawaii, Las Vegas, and South Carolina, but from those places, I have deployed all over the world. I have been to Guam, Okinawa, St. Lucia, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Germany, Ireland, Cyprus, Sicily, Hungary, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kyrgystan, Pakistan, and South Korea. While in Korea, I had the opportunity to visit the Demilitarized Zone, and actually stepped about 10 feet into North Korea, so I can add that to my list. I have had a few 2 and 3 month stays in Colorado, Alabama, and Texas, and have at least driven or flown through about 30 other states. My favorite place is obviously Hawaii. I would be crazy to say anything else. I visited all the islands in the chain while I was there, and even learned to surf. My least favorite would be Saudi Arabia. The heat wasn’t that much different from the Mojave Desert in Vegas, but the people are not friendly.
SORSN: You recently returned from a deployment to the Middle East. Can you tell us what it was like and some of your activities there?
Andrew: I was deployed to Pakistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. It wasn’t much of a glory mission, as we were closing the base. However, it was one of the first forward bases to open after 9/11, and I was one of the last 60 people to step foot off the base. That is a pretty good story for my grandkids. It was a toss up for being my least favorite place on Earth, but I think the people I was deployed with made it worthwhile.
SORSN: Tell us about growing up South of the River? Some of your best memories of wearing the Green and White of Midway High School? Do you keep in touch with anyone from those days?
Andrew: I don’t get too many chances to stay in touch with my hectic schedule, but when I am home, I usually run into some old friends. I always keep up with what is going on through my parents. They usually run into people and ask the questions I would ask. I ran into Michael Rose here in South Carolina and see him often. I also e-mail Travis Ingram every so often to check on how he is doing down in sunny Florida. Feel free to e-mail me at Andrew.Branson@shaw.af.mil anytime.
SORSN: The 1988 Midway Green Wave Kickoff Program has you wearing number 16, playing wide receiver and weighing in at a whopping 125 lbs? Any comments here? Could you provide some insight or dieting tips for how you maintained the 125 lb frame? Has your wife ever seen picture of you from those days?
Andrew: Yes, my wife has seen those pictures. She can’t believe I was that small. Now I have a daily workout, I am 6’1”, and weigh in at 240. People have a hard time recognizing me who haven’t seen me for awhile.
SORSN: Any advice for any of our younger readers who are thinking of joining the military?
Andrew: Take advantage of the education opportunities early. I have just recently started taking advantage of them, but I got my associated degree pretty fast. I will continue to take classes when I get to Germany. Tuition is free, so you can’t beat it. You can even take classes at some deployed locations. Also, manage your money early in your career. You don’t get paid much at first, so don’t blow it. I am now an E-6, and make a pretty good living. I am a very strong advocate of the military and the things we do, so I obviously think it is a great idea for almost anyone. Just be prepared for anything.
SORSN: Can you tell us what ever happened to the white Monte Carlo SS?
Andrew: I don’t really know for sure. I was only allowed to drive it once or twice. My dad was afraid I would try to race it or something. He was right, and I now understand his reasons. I did get to wash it a few times, though. I only hope the current owner takes care of it as well as I did.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, and thanks for serving your country. SORSN.com and its legions of followers are proud of you!