WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. — Finding one’s true calling can be a long process filled with trial and error. Some know right away what their path will be. Master Sgt Michael Teixeira, 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron NCOIC, said his choice was easy.
“I was always fascinated with airplanes,” he said. “I enjoyed watching old historical programs that had to do with how the Air Force was created. Even as a young child of eight to nine [years old], it was something that interested me.”
The son of immigrants, Teixeira became the first person in his family to join a military service.
“I’m kind of the first generation to start a historical legacy here,” he said. “At least as a military member.”
He remembered discussing his career options with his father while growing up, all of which entailed airplanes.
“I had a concrete idea of what I wanted to do: aircraft maintenance,” Teixeira said. “I was given the opportunity in the Reserve sector. I knew where I was going, what my job title was going to be and what I was going to be doing when I joined.”
Teixeira joined the Air Force Reserve in March 2006, spending his 14-year career at Westover. He knew from the beginning that aircraft maintenance was his dream, and he enjoyed the flexibility that being a member of the AFRC gave him.
He was on Active Duty orders for three years when he decided to become an Air Reserve Technician (ART), a program that allowed him to work alongside his co-workers, but in a government civilian capacity.
Teixeira has worked several roles for the AMXS, going from aircraft maintenance journeyman, to technical expert, to now the NCOIC. He said his biggest role was ensuring his personnel are trained and following proper procedure.
“My job is not to do the hands-on work, but to ensure that the people that work under me are performing their job safely, are running the aircrafts safely, and by the technical orders and the directives that were set out by either the Air Force or local policies,” he said.
Part of his passion for the job is getting to work with his crew members.
“It’s the people that make the place,” said Teixeira. “Being able to work alongside some of the best people I've ever known - that's the best part of the job.”
However, working with aircraft maintenance can be demanding, especially during the social distancing.
“When you're working from home, sometimes you may have a harder time shutting off that work mentality,” he said.
He said spending time with his spouse has helped.
“It's definitely been a learning and adjustment period for sure,” Teixeira shared. “But we've been managing just fine”
He believes hard work and being proactive are the key to success. Teixeira advised junior airmen seek knowledge rather than wait for it, and said it was the key to career advancement.
“The decisions you make as a young airman will resonate a decade later where you see yourself,” he said.