Staff Writer
EASTON – Michael Osgood of Easton and his older brother, Matthew, have more in common than family ties. Michael recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy as his brother did in 2005.
Contributed photo
MICHAEL OSGOOD, of Easton, graduated May 28 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Osgood was ranked 43rd in his class out of 1,028 cadets. He is the son of Thomas and Ann Osgood.
The 22-year-old was nominated to the Academy by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine).
“I graduated from Easton High School in June 2004,” said Osgood, “and started my basic training July 1. I worked my way up from cadet to now 2nd Lt.”
Osgood graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy May 28.
“I got my bachelor of science degree in business management with a minor in French,” he said. “Graduation was really cool. President Bush was there, and we all got to have our pictures taken with him. People might not agree with what he’s done regarding the war, but he was very nice. There were 1,028 of us and it was freezing that day, and he stood up there and shook everybody’s hand. That was pretty cool.”
Osgood was ranked 43rd in his class.
“My brother wasn’t quite that high,” laughed Osgood. “He did really well with his military ranking, but overall I was higher. I give him a hard time about it.”
The U.S. Air Force Academy is a four-year program like other colleges, Osgood said.
“Freshman year was awful. You have to run everywhere you go,” he said. “You can’t have your book bag on your shoulder … you have to carry it. Every person you meet outside you have to greet, and if they’re in your squadron, you have to greet them by name. There’s 130-some people in the squadron, so that’s a lot of names to remember. You have to have your door open all the time, and you can’t have civilian clothes. It wasn’t very fun.
“Once you get your prop and wings, which goes on your hat when you’re a cadet, you officially become an upperclassman. That happened partway through the second semester. Sophomore year you get a little more freedom … you can have civilian clothes, you can go out a little more, and then junior year is a big year because you can get a car. The base is huge, so it’s nice to be able to leave and head into the city. Senior year is a lot more fun, and you get a lot more passes.”
Osgood said he joined the military “to fly.”
“Dad would take us to air shows when we were younger,” he said, “so ever since then, I’ve wanted to fly. I’m leaning toward being a cargo pilot … it’s easier on the family life.”
Recognizing that it is unique to have two brothers from a small community graduate from the Academy, Osgood said he’s proud of both his and his brother’s accomplishments.
“I remember always wanting to fly but not quite knowing how to get there,” he said. “I was a freshman when Matt was a senior and I remember him leaving. He had told me a lot about the Academy and that it was the best place to learn to fly.
“Seeing him do it motivated me to do it,” said Osgood, noting there were some other brothers at the Academy. “I didn’t see him a lot while there, but it was nice to have a friendly face there. Sometimes he’d lend me his car, so there were some perks having him around.”
Osgood married Anna DeLong of Presque Isle Saturday, June 28 while home on 60-day paid leave. He then reported to Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma July 29.
“It’s a pilot training base,” he said. “I’ll officially start pilot training in late October. It’s a two-year process, and when I’m done, I’ll be a pilot.
“If you become a pilot after the Academy,” said Osgood, “you have a 12-year commitment. If you stay in the military for 20 years you can retire and get pretty good benefits, so I’m looking at maybe doing that. We’ll see.”
Osgood is the son of Thomas and Ann Osgood.
Contributed photo
DESPITE CHILLY TEMERPATURES, Michael Osgood of Easton was all smiles as he met President Geoerge W. Bush at his May 28 graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Osgood’s brother, Matthew, graduated from the same Academy in 2005.
