Collis Jeppesen:
CLASS OF 1986
Apollo High SchoolClass of 1986
Glendale, AZ
Phoenix Community CollegeClass of 1988
Phoenix, AZ
Glendale Community CollegeClass of 1987
Glendale, AZ
Palo Verde Elementary SchoolClass of 1982
Phoenix, AZ
Roadrunner Elementary SchoolClass of 1977
Phoenix, AZ
Collis's Story
Life
Born in Florida, but moved before I was even a year old to Arizona. Had a great time growing up in Phoenix. Had an even better time traveling around the world with my wife and daughter. Made a career of the military (23.5 years). I was a firefighter in the USAF. The family and I spent 14 years overseas (Japan and Germany). My final assignment and where I retired from the USAF was Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. My daughter has already graduated from college and is married and living the dream in Seattle. I retired from the USAF in April 2016. I was hired as a civilian Fire Inspector at the West Point Military Academy in New York. Enjoying the next phase of my life as a civilian at such a prestigious military academy.
Bought a 4-bedroom 2.5 bathroom home in New Windsor, NY in 2017. Making it a home with some major renovations (new front door and sidelights, Tesla solar panels and power wall, 6-foot tall vinyl fence encompassing a large backyard, wife is painting/wallpapering rooms one at a time).
Really enjoy the change of seasons here (especially since buying a snowblower for the driveway). Have also met some interesting locals that share similar interests/hobbies. Life is good. Lots to see and do on the East Coast. Explored Iceland in 2018 too.
School
Really enjoyed my time in the various schools: Roadrunner Elementary, Palo Verde Grade School and Apollo High School. Were simpler times.
College
I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life after high school. Worked on completing my core classes at community colleges without really knowing what I wanted as my major. Took some business classes, computer classes, and all the required core classes used in any career field (english, calculus, speech, etc.) I didn't complete my 1st degree until after joining the United States Air Force with an Associates Degree in Fire Science. Completed my Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration with Honors: Summa Cum Laude in 2018.
Workplace
Worked part time after high school while going to college. Started working for the Phoenix Gazette newspaper. Gave up that job and started working at JCPenny. Lots of great memories from there (good people and lots of get togethers ~ also where I met my wife). Transferred to a JCPenney in Omaha, Nebraska with my wife and daughter. The first Gulf War gave me the idea to join the military. Spent the next 23.5 years in the USAF as a firefighter. Deployed nine times to various countries in Southwest Asia in support of multiple campaigns (lots of experiences I will never forget). Travelled all over the world (more than 20% according to the mapping software so still have a lot left to see). Been stationed in Nebraska, Japan, Germany (twice), South Dakota and Idaho. Went TDY countless times to many locations including Sweden, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Korea. Explored even more countries while on vacation with the family (saw many amazing places in the world and learned to appreciate new cultures).
Military
Joined the USAF to see the world. First base I was stationed at was in Nebraska (only 22.5 miles from where we lived in Omaha before enlisting?!?) Guess Omaha is part of the world. Was stationed at Offutt AFB for 4.5 years. I did go on deployments, though. I've travelled to the Middle East 8 times and Kyrgyzstan once (first time not deployed to the sand). After Nebraska, I was assigned to Misawa AB, Japan. Now that was a culture shock. Great 3.5 years. Time went by quickly. Saw a lot and will never forget it.
I was next stationed at Spangdahlem AB, Germany (June, 2001-June 2007). Loved this assignment and travelled a lot (both officially and on vacations). But all good things must come to an end. ...Expand for more
Moved onto my next assignment at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. Got used to driving slow again. Missed the autobahn and traffic circles (don't have to stop at intersections just merge into the circle and drive around to your exit ~ great idea). I actually spent a lot of time deployed the 3 years I was at Ellsworth AFB.
PCSed back to Spangdahlem AB, Germany in November 2009. Became the Assistant Fire Chief for Fire Prevention once I made MSgt. Travelled even more extensively than our first time in Germany since it was just the wife and I (even went on a Baltic cruise to Russia as well as visited the Arctic Circle while TDY to Sweden for a NATO exercise). Time went by really quickly on this tour, but we enjoyed it to the fullest and even vacationed in London for a week enroute to our new assignment in Idaho.
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho was our last assignment. Was interesting and a good way to finish my military career before we moved on to the next phase as a civilian fire inspector..
My last tour to the sandbox was interesting and I accomplished much while supporting the fight against ISIS. I organized multiple base events (combat dining in and a base fire muster (in a dust storm). The six months flew by while stationed there. Was bittersweet knowing it was to be my last deployment but also glad to get home after 1/2 a year away from home.
I became the Assistant Fire Chief of Health and Safety for the department for my last year in the USAF. Learned new skills that I will be able to utilize in the civilian world. My retirement ceremony from the USAF was in April 2016 at Fire Station One. Was a great event attended by many friends and family who flew in for the ceremony. I will never forget it. My official retirement date was 1 August, 2016 (23 years and 7 months of active duty).
Stayed busy by finishing off some college classes, acquired 3 new fire certifications and was hired as a civilian Fire Inspector at West Point Military Academy, New York. The department at West Point is great and I am really enjoying my life as a civilian fire inspector.
Civilian Fire Inspector
Enjoying my new career and living on the East Coast. Lots to see and do (New York City is cool). Fun times ahead. Great people at West Point and the wife and I have been welcomed into the department. Getting used to not saluting or having to wear a hat when outside. At first, I was the only Fire Inspector as three other inspectors before me, either retired or moved on to other jobs. Became the senior fire inspector not long after starting the position. Was rough for several months running solo but the department hired more inspectors (including someone I worked with in the USAF).
Staying busy conducting building inspections, teaching fire safety classes, fire drills at multiple child development centers and two schools (remember fire drills?) I issue multiple hot work permits all over post so contractors can continue to work, research fire codes to verify inspection write-ups or to answer questions from facility commandants. Everyday is a new experience and requires flexibility.
Really enjoying this phase of my life and doing rather well (retired firefighter with nice pension from the military and working a second career as a civilian fire inspector at West Point). I actually look forward to going to work each day. I was empowered by my boss to schedule and complete my fire inspections as I see fit for the year. I also have been entrusted to coordinate Fire Prevention Week with the schools and CDCs. I have met many interesting people working with the public on a daily basis. Plus I get to respond to fire emergencies and assist in mitigating them. Everyday is something new.
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