Maintenance squadron sees double at recent retirement ceremony

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 33d Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (ACCNS) --  There was something extraordinary about a July 28 ordinary Nomad retirement full of tradition, home football team bashing and opportunity to poke fun at a former coworker. 

Every career has a personal touch that makes it unique from other Air Force experience and for Master Sgt. Clinton Glass, 33d Maintenance Operations Squadron superintendant of analysis, it was the simple fact that his brother, Wade, was present for the end of the journey they started together in summer of 1984. 

They said they have shared every experience together and unique to most twin brothers, they joined the military, attended the same basic training, became jet engine mechanics like their father, were roommates in Air Force technical training and retired summer of 2008. 

"It's very rare," said Chief Master Sgt. John Davis, 33d MOS superintendant, who has crossed paths with the retired Nomad throughout his career and had daughters that are close friends with the two Glass children. "Clinton is an outstanding leader, mentor and groomed Air Force leader. We started working together in 2003 and got along on the commonality of being from Louisiana and Louisiana State University football fans." 

Even though their mother and father couldn't be present for the retirement, their spirit was there in a lighthearted slide show full of family photos that gave ceremony attendees a personal look into the lives of the twins. The presentation was a surprise to both brothers. 

"Over 23 years, I've never collected anything but friends," said retired Sergeant Glass who will move to Alexandria, La. to be close to the place he and his wife Susan, call home, close to his parent's house. "My whole adult life was spent in the military. They provided for my family and I met fantastic people, friends I've known for more than 15 years, but its time to start a new chapter." 

His next assignment will be nursing home administrator, a job that he said lesson's learned in his broad Air Force experience will prepare him for, specifically in the areas of discipline, communication and problem solving. 

"It's nice knowing you knew someone who was facing the same challenges as you," said retired Master Sgt. Wade Glass about the lifetime and career he shared with his brother, whom he feels closest to. 

Wade celebrated his last day in the Air Force July 18 with his family, including his brother, at a retirement ceremony at Tyndall AFB, Fla. where he currently works as a contracted maintenance employee. 

The brothers' last assignments were the closest they had been stationed together since being roommates at jet engine mechanic technical training at Chanute AFB, Ill., in 1985 and Mrs. Glass said having her in-laws near by made a great family environment for the children to grow up in. 

The brothers expressed that they will miss the camaraderie of their Air Force family although they were ready for retirement and look forward to the next career.