Feature Student: Nick Hayden Flies Through Life

Nick Hayden

At the start of the semester, the first day of class is always boring—a long dreadful class period of going over the syllabus as well as icebreakers.  However, during an icebreaker this semester, a special person caught my attention.  Nick Hayden is not like any other student at UC. 

Nick attended UC straight out of high school.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t finish his first semester.  He got shipped to boot camp for the Air National Guard, so he put school on hold for a bit.  Semesters later Nick got shipped out to Guam, and school was on hold once again. 

Nick left for boot camp on December 6, 2011.  He has always had the desire to join the military ever since he was younger.  Most of his family had prior service, so a lot of it runs in the family.  His dad and uncle were in the Navy.  Nick and his brother were even in the same Air Force squadron together. 

Nick is a crew chief on a KC-135, so he’s had quite a bit of traveling experience.  He’s traveled to bases all over the United States.  

This past summer, he spent some time in England and Scotland.  Nick has been to Hawaii a total of six times and Guam three.  Also, he just found out that his squadron will be deployed in June, possibly to Saudi Arabia.  

Maintaining relationships is never easy when he’s away.  Nick tries to stay in contact by phone calls, Skype, or letters.  On the other hand, experiences in the military have gained Nick friendships that will last him a lifetime. 

Now that Nick isn’t traveling as much, he is getting back to school.  The transition from the Air Force to UC has not been a dramatic change for him.  Right now, he is going to school for a degree in business administration. 

One weekend a month or two weeks out of the year, Nick reports to base.  For the rest of the time, Nick is busy working a job, as well as focusing on getting back into the swing of things here at UC. 

Being in the Air Force has changed Nick’s outlook on life.  He says he would never be who he is today if he never enlisted.  The Air National Guard has not only taught him responsibility.  It has helped him conquer life experiences.