Michael Rodgers:
CLASS OF 1990
Lee High SchoolClass of 1990
Columbus, MS
Ft. Walton Beach High SchoolClass of 1990
Ft. walton beach, FL
Joe Cook Junior High SchoolClass of 1986
Columbus, MS
Hunt Intermediate SchoolClass of 1985
Columbus, MS
Franklin Academy Elementary SchoolClass of 1984
Columbus, MS
Michael's Story
Life
I was born at Clark Air Base, Philippines in March of 1972, my father is retired Air Force, lived ther for a year then moved to California, lived there for a couple of years and moved back to the Philippines and lived there another few years then moved to Misawa, Japan in 1979 and lived there till '83 and then moved to Columbus, Ms. Left there in 1989 and moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fl which I consider home since I have lived there the longest and had my daughter, Maleena, in Dec of '94 but I have never been married. I joined the Marine Corps in January 1998 and went off to Parris Island, NC for boot camp. In April of '98 I left there and went to training in Pensacola, FL for a few months and Cherry Pt., NC for a few months as well and from March 1999 to January 2003 I was stationed in Yuma, AZ and then got out of the Corps. After leaving the service I went back to Fort Walton Beach, FL to spend some lost time with my daughter before I started working for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga in July of 2003. I currently live in Smyrna, GA, 20 minutes north of Atlanta.
School
I went to Lee High School in Columbus, MS from 1986 to 1989. I was really shy and quiet and usually kept to myself but I did open up around my friends in Band class. Almost everyone in Band I knew from the 6th grade on up. The same faces every year in almost every class. I played the trumpet. I really enjoyed band and everyone who was in it. I was usually first or second chair. My dad was in the Air Force and he retired in '89 and decided to move us to Florida so I unfortunately did not get to attend my last year of high school at Lee High. I was bummed about that. Attended my last year of high school at Fort Walton Beach, FL. I did not even attempt to try out for their band. It just wasn't the same. I didn't know anyone and really never did get to know anyone for that last year. To this day I wonder how things would have turned out if I stayed in MS and graduated from Lee High.
College
I went to Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Fort Walton Beach, FL. But I always seemed to skip classes and...Expand for more
rather hang out with my best friend, goof off, play basketball, and just not go to school. I regret that now. Never did get any type of degree.
Workplace
After high school and during college I worked the usually places. A burger joint for a couple of years and grocery stores for a few until I decided I wanted to do something where I would have a solid paycheck and not go from job to job. So for that reason and and because of the relationship I was currently in at the time I decided to join the Marine Corps. Served 5 years, because of the training I received and my experience I was offered an excellent job with Lockheed Martin to build the FA-22 Raptor about 2 months before I was to get out of the Marines and I did not hesitate to take advantage of that. After I left the Corps in January 2003 I left AZ in February went back home to FL and waited 5 months before I started working for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA where I currently work. Honestly the job is simple and a boring at times but it pays great.
Military
I joined the USMC in January 1998. Went to boot camp at Parris Island, SC. Graduated boot camp in April of '98. One of the best feelings I have ever had. Very emotional. Went to Pensacola FL, for school in May of '98 to be an avionics technician, then to Cherry Point, NC in October of '98 where I was trained to be a avionics techinician for the AV-8B Harrier fighter aircraft, then finally in March of '99 I gruaduated school and went to Yuma, AZ, the hottest place on Earth, where I worked for VMA-513 "The Flying Nightmares" oorah!!!! My whole time there I did not once go on deployment. I really didn't care to either since my dad was retired Air Force, I did enough traveling. I made alot of friends and had alot of good times. I did work for VMA-211 for a very short while, about 2 months at the end. VMA-513 split up, half went to Afghanistan, and the other half went on an aircraft carrier headed for the Persian Gulf. Those of us who were short-timers were moved to different squadrons to finish out our terms so I went to VMA-211 then I got out in January of 2003.
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