Military Pathways: Supply Officer
Army National Guard
Supply Officer: Kevin Inoue
By Mike Yoshiura
Kevin Inoue slid under the radar when he was in high school . He maintained a 3.0 GPA and passed all his classes, but amazingly he did it without drawing attention to himself
The 24 year old wasn’t the popular type nor was he a jock. He didn’t want to classify himself as the studious type or as an overachiever. Kevin admits that at times he had trouble finishing what he started, but these days he is seeing things through to the end.
Kevin is a Supply Officer in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, and his job duties require him to plan for the future. Now he’s better at finishing what he started, and he is in the process of earning his fixed-wing ratings, which would make him an official commercial airline pilot. “A Supply Officer has to always be proactive, and can never assume the initial plan will follow through. A plan B, C, and D is always required,” said Kevin.
Sacrifices
After one season of JV basketball Kevin quit the team. He was in the Future Farmers of America Club, but he gave that up after his first year. As graduation neared Kevin really had no idea where he was headed, but he dreamed of piloting airplanes. “Quite honestly, I was an average student trying to get by in high school. After I graduated I went to LCC [Leeward Community College] took a couple of classes and wanted a change. The military was the opportunity I needed. It opened up many new doors for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
After graduating from Mililani High School in 2001, Kevin attended LCC for three semesters before joining the Army Reserve. No one recommended the military to Kevin, and JROTC wasn’t offered at Mililani High School. Enlisting was something Kevin did to get to where he wanted to go.
Mentors & Inspirations
His parents weren’t too keen about his decision, but after words of encouragement from his older sister, Yuko, Kevin knew it was the right thing to do. With or without his parent’s blessings, Kevin made up his mind to join the military to get an education and further his career. “She just told me to do what I want to do, and not to listen to what others thought about my decision. She stressed the importance of education, and she taught me to be flexible.”
The Inoue family is very close knit, and Kevin credits his parents for the success he is reaping today. It took his parents a while to warm up to his decision, but looking back they are very proud at the life he made for himself. His parents immigrated to Hawai‘i from Okinawa, which makes Kevin a second generation Japanese American. “My parents played a critical role in my life. Since I’m a Nisei, they instilled the rich Japanese values and beliefs. My parents molded me into the person I am today.”
Overcoming Challenges
In 2003, Kevin left home for a 10-week basic training course at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Being separated from the only place he ever called home was a barrier that Kevin had to overcome. “Basic training was a huge culture shock.Growing up in Hawai‘i you learn the ‘Aloha Spirit,’ and when I went to basic training all of that was stripped from me. I got very homesick, and I wanted to come home and see my family and friends. Missing home was a huge motivation for me to get through it.”
After Basic Training, Kevin went to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for 12-weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Kevin trained to be a Civil Affairs Specialist, which is a liaison between civilian and military operations. His job duties include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and population and resource control.
Follow Your Heart
After being away for 22 weeks Kevin returned home in April 2004.He decided to transfer over to the Hawai‘i Army National Guard as a Sheet Metal Technician for the UH-60 Black Hawks.
About eight months after transferring to the Army National Guard, Kevin joined the University of Hawai‘i Army ROTC. In 2007, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology, and officially became a second lieutenant or commissioned officer. In case you were wondering, commissioned officers make more money then non-commissioned officers so it pays to get an education.
Kevin is currently wrapping up his requirements for the fixed-wing ratings, with hopes of flying the friendly skies by 2009.He has come a long way since graduating high school, and to think it was all due to proper planning.
