“Balancing both a military and civilian career requires a great deal of discipline, and it can be challenging for both you and your family. However, the sense of being part of something greater than oneself and the opportunity to acquire invaluable skills make it all worthwhile. Plus, there’s no denying the pride in looking sharp in that uniform. It’s a unique journey that offers personal growth and a strong sense of purpose.” Nick Whelan balances two worlds: as an Assistant Chief Pilot at our Dayton base and the other is being an active member of the Illinois Air National Guard. We are beyond grateful for his service at our airline and for serving our great nation.

Nick has proudly been serving our country for over 13 years in the Air Force, starting as a structural craftsman, responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Air Force’s airfields and facilities for the first 12 years. In 2023, he transitioned into a new role as a Unit Training Manager, where he plays a vital role in facilitating the commander’s upgrade training for his squadron. Nick said, “I come from a proud tradition of military service, being the third generation in my family to serve in the Air Force. My family’s legacy of service is extensive, with aunts, uncles, and cousins contributing over 310 years of combined military dedication. I was motivated to continue this honorable tradition of serving our country and to pay for college.”

With extensive training, strong core values, and a proud community, the Air Force pushes people to dig deep and fight for a greater purpose. Nick recognizes that being in the military has given him skills that he can use in his civilian career as well. When asked what the most valuable lessons he has learned throughout active duty, he’s what he had to say:

Integrity: I’ve learned the importance of unwavering integrity. Sometimes, you must put in a tremendous amount of hard work, even when the immediate purpose might not be clear. However, it’s crucial to approach every task with utmost dedication and honesty.
Adaptability: Adaptability is a core skill in the military. We’re trained in various disciplines and taught how to apply that knowledge effectively in our respective roles. Additionally, we learn how to identify gaps in our knowledge and how to resourcefully find the answer.
Resilience: While it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, resilience is another crucial lesson. Military service often requires perseverance in the face of adversity, and it’s a trait that becomes ingrained in us as we navigate the challenges of our roles.

Throughout his time serving in the Air Force and balancing his civilian career, Nick has faced adversity but found integral solutions to persevere through the most challenging situations. When asking Nick about balancing these roles and the crossover between them, he noted, “Managing people in these seemingly different spheres might appear entirely different, but in the end, it’s all about understanding and working with individuals. It’s been a rewarding experience to see the common threads in leadership and management between my military and civilian roles.”

When choosing to pursue balancing a military and civilian career, those who have helped along the way and inspired us make it all worth it. When we asked Nick who inspired him, he noted that he draws inspiration from many, but if he had to pinpoint the most significant sources, it would undoubtedly be his parents and his wife. “My parents have faced immense adversity, from military deployments to my father’s airline career and his battle with cancer. Despite these challenges, they’ve persevered, always encouraging us to focus on the positive. My wife is another incredible source of inspiration; her unwavering temperament and ability to handle everything I throw at her, from both my careers, maintaining her own, and a side job while keeping me grounded, is truly remarkable. I aspire to be as composed and level-headed as she is. They are my pillars of strength.”

Balancing both careers requires a great deal of discipline, and it can indeed have its challenges. However, the sense of being part of something greater than oneself and the opportunity to acquire invaluable skills make it all worthwhile. Remember, Nick said there’s no denying the pride in looking sharp in that uniform. It’s a unique journey that offers personal growth and a strong sense of purpose.

If you see First Officer and Assistant Chief Pilot Nick, please stop and say hi!