John Aken:
CLASS OF 1970
Leilehua High SchoolClass of 1970
Wahiawa, HI
John's Story
Biography
John H. Aken
John Aken represents a successful leader throughout his whole life. This biography tells of John's leadership in the military, the civilian workforce, and in his education career.
As a four year member of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp in Leilehua High School, Hawaii, John moved through the ranks from private to cadet Lieutenant Colonel, leading his school to its second state champion ROTC Drill Competition. As a member of the drama class, John won the lead in two plays in his sophomore and junior years.
John's desire to serve his country and love of airplanes led him to enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1970 after high school graduation. As a shift leader in advanced aircraft maintenance, his assignments included Lackland Air Force Base and Sheppard AFB, Texas; Udorn, Thailand; and Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Throughout his training, John obtained the equivalent of an associate's degree in aviation maintenance technology from the USAF. He was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in December 1980 to pursue a long time desire for a college education. Due to financial reasons, his educational interests were delayed. John's love for the military brought him back this time to the Army, training in artillery, serving in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Carson, Colorado, and Baumholder, F.G. Germany where he was honorably discharged in December, 1984 having the funds to again pursue a college education.
John Aken received his bachelor's degree in History and Applied Geography from Southwest Texas State University San Marcus, Texas in 1989. While at college, John was employed full time by Wal-Mart Stores as supervising manager for a crew of twelve responsible for shipping, receiving, and stocking. John went on to acquire a teaching certificate in History, Geography, Earth and Life Science. His first job was with the North Side Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas at John Jay High School from 1991 to 1995. Teaching U.S. History and World Geography honors and advanced placement classes. He developed split classes for students to complete computer research projects in essay writing in both history and geography subjects. He was senior class sponsor, club sponsor, and golf coach. John's desire to remain in the military led him to return to the Army National Guard in 1992. As Fire Direction Chief, he was selected as Battery and Battalion NCO for the year 1994, advancing with the rank of staff sergeant in 1995.
John's wife, a Captain in the United States Air Force, was awarded advanced nurse practitioner training in Maryland,...Expand for more
and thus they relocated for 2 years. During that time, John taught Earth Science, to include Geography, Astronomy, Geology, Oceanography, and Ecology at Crosland High School in the Prince George Public School District. He transferred to the Maryland National Guard as Fire Direction Chief, being awarded two Army Achievement Medals and an Army Commendation Medal.
In 1997, with his wife's assignment to Grand Forks, ND, John transferred to the North Dakota Army National Guard to a unit specializing in ADA (Air Defense Artillery), and graduated from the MOS (Military Occupation Skill)
qualifying school with honors and winning the outstanding leadership award. To supplement income, John was employed full time with Cirrus Design Corporation and
worked on the composite aircraft assembly department. John directly assisted in the development, manufacture, and assembly of fiberglass parts for the Cirrus SR-20
aircraft. He helped develop and test horizontal tail assembly tools, rigs, and wrote procedures for assembly. He also built wing assemblies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the U.S. Army.
A final move in 1999 brought John and his wife back to Texas and family. His former history department chief requested John return to John Jay High School, and in accepting, taught U.S. History and World Geography in both regular and honor classes. He participated actively in the AVID program, setting high standards that allowed a 99% pass rate over four years of the TAKS program. Soon after returning to the Texas National Guard Headquarters Unit, and to his dismay, John's military career came to a close when advised to retire with 21 years military service due to a medical condition.
In August 2007, John accepted a position at Palo Alto College in San Antonio as the aviation educator and program director. He was ecstatic in accepting a position in the two arenas in life he loves; aviation and education. The job entails redirecting the entire aviation program towards success. He enthusiastically accepted the ever challenging job to manage the program and direct its growth, and to educate future aviators and aviation managers at the same time. John is also an aircraft owner and private pilot since 1998.
In conclusion, John Aken's life has never been boring, and according to his wife and family he has accomplished much. He is proud to have served the country in the military (being the recipient of numerous military medals and awards), and in serving our country's future generations by teaching and promoting education at the highest levels. His leadership qualities shine throughout his entire life.
Patricia L. Aken
February 27, 2008
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