Tom Cox, 460th FSS

Published April 28, 2009

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK -- Tom Cox, 460th Force Support Squadron Youth Program Director, is Team Buckley's Warrior of the Week for May 8-14.

Mr. Cox served in the Air Force for 13 years before switching over to Civil Service which he has been a part of for 10 months.

He hails from Menominee, Mich., in the upper peninsula of the state where the people are often referred to as "Yoopers."

Mr. Cox enjoys sports and coaching and is an avid sportsman enjoying golf and softball, preferring actual play to watching.

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Air Force mission?
In the Youth Program, our goal is to foster resilient, self-sufficient families and enhance military readiness. We accomplish this by providing services for Buckley's youth community, ages 6-18, to help reduce life's daily conflicts.

If you could change one thing about the Air Force what would it be?
While much easier said than done, I would try to reduce the time Airmen spend away from their families when deployed.

Why do you serve?
I believe in the overall Buckley mission and enjoy the camaraderie of being surrounded by noble professionals every day. The military is like a small, close-knit family. The people that you meet will be your friends for life. Looking back at my military experience, I can say that I have made friends for life.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Air Force?
The friends my family and I have made all around the world that we continue to stay in contact with. I have been surrounded by great people in my past, and by great people today and I'm confident great people will be part of my future.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
I am so grateful that I've had the opportunity to coach hundreds of kids throughout my career. I find it very rewarding to work with youth, watching them learn, having fun and helping their self-confidence grow. Throughout my Air Force career, I have volunteered to coach youth sports and have coached at least 30 to 40 teams in baseball, football and basketball. For me, working with youth programs and kids is a great stress reliever!

If you were not in Civil Service, where would you be? Why?
I'd be teaching and coaching at the high school or college level. It's in my blood! My grandpa taught and coached for 35 years at Michigan Tech.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What will you be doing?
Hopefully I'll still be a part of the 460th Force Support Squadron! Ideally, I'd like to grow into a higher position of leadership.