Military Movies Inspired Airman to Join the Service

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kobe Cole, a food service journeyman assigned to the 6th Force Support Squadron, checks food labels at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., May 30, 2018. On this day, Cole prepared the salad bar and the cold items shelves for lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner)

Airman 1st Class Kobe Cole, a food service journeyman assigned to the 6th Force Support Squadron, had his own reasons.

He lacked a military lineage in his family, and he was drawn by military stories and values.

"I always thought movies with aviators and soldiers were cool," said Cole. "I initially wanted to be a fighter pilot until I found out during MEPS that I was colorblind."

This setback just happened to be his movie plot, littered with peaks and valleys. Despite this unfortunate news, Cole remained vigilant and committed to enlisting in the Air Force.

"He always comes to work with a positive, uplifting attitude," said Staff Sgt. Zavier Legrand, a food service craftsman assigned to the 6th FSS. "His work ethic is also second-to-none and once you give him a task, he always gets it done."

The setting is the Diner's Reef dining facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The motivation is a team that supports over 42,000 active duty, reserve, guard, civilians and dependents through food services seven days a week.

"Whatever the Air Force wants me to do, I will do," said Cole. "I'm just glad to be here and helping the mission go forward in any way possible."

In the big picture, Cole's team serves approximately 262,000 meals annually.

When his work is done, Cole enjoys the camaraderie of his wingmen and the social aspect of his career field. Upon completion of his training and time at MacDill, he hopes to continue his military story by deploying and seeing other parts of the world.

"Cole embodies the core values and it shows in his work," said Legrand. "He's an asset to the Air Force and definitely on the right path to bigger opportunities."

While he joined the Air Force for his own reasons, Cole's military reel has just begun.

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