Airmen of the Burgh: Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Jendrzejewski

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Justyne Obeldobel
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  It's never too late to follow your dreams, especially for Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Jendrzejewski, assistant flight chief of the air traffic operations center with the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron.

Jendrzejewski transitioned from high school graduate to an active-duty security forces Airman stationed in England. After finishing out his enlistment back in the States, he decided it was time to settle down and find his life long career.

After 10 years back in the civilian world and having worked in multiple careers, Jendrzejewski had not found the job he was looking for. He knew the military was still an option and reenlisted with the United States Air Force Reserve.

The 32nd APS at the 911th Airlift Wing was the right fit for him, he said.

Many years of deployments with 32nd APS motivated Jendrzejewski to seek new leadership opportunities.

With military as his backbone, he still wasn't able to find that perfect job in his civilian life, said Jendrzejewski. He had one thing on his mind.

"I needed to go to school to do the job I love," he said. "The job I wanted was a physical therapist assistant, but as a 44-year-old single parent I didn't think it was possible to go back."

He saw his opportunity with an upcoming deployment. He saved money during his entire deployment, planned for minimal financial aid and signed up to use his Post 9/11 GI Bill the moment his feet were back on U.S. soil. Jendrzejewski was determined to be a PTA, and he was not changing his mind.

"I have never had something I felt so strongly about. My son would call me emotional but I tell him it's just passion," Jendrzejewski said with a grin.

Jendrzejewski will finally have his perfect match when he completes his PTA license later this month.

"If it weren't for the deployments and the benefits of the military's education bills, I wouldn't be doing what I love," said Jendrzejewski.