A Crew Chief and a Scholar

Ian Payson is a junior at Bridgewater State University who studies marketing but is also in the U.S. Airforce at Barnes Air National Guard Base. Payson still tackles being in the armed forces and being a full-time student by enduring the stressful times and thinking about his end goals.

Payson is currently deployed in Savannah, Georgia working and training for Barnes Air National Guard Base. While enjoying the beautiful weather, he is still completing this semester’s schoolwork. Despite what is being thrown at him, he is still managing one of his goals which is to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree.

Payson admits that there can be challenges, but he was inspired to go to school because he wants to find a good career working on fighter jets. Payson has taken aviation courses at Bridgewater State University which has enhanced his knowledge. Although, he can ask for help or advice from his father, who is a veteran, and his stepbrother who is serving now. Both, who inspired him to go into the Airforce.

Payson’s advice to those interested going into the armed forces is, “embrace the tough times, it’ll help you grow and move forward. It is also important to listen and learn from those higher up.”

Payson hopes to be successful, live happy with loved ones, and “be the best version of myself I can achieve.”