Husband and wife re-enlist together

Published June 9, 2009
By Maj. Jillian Torango
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- When Airmen re-enlist it is a special time, and it is even more special if their family can be a part of that important event. Tech. Sgts. John and Melody Autry took that one step further when the husband-wife duo re-enlisted together in the 52nd Fighter Wing command section June 5, 2009.

Tech. Sgt. Melody Autry is the 52nd command chief's administrative assistant and Tech. Sgt. John Autry works in the 52nd FW advanced programs section. Because they both work in the fighter wing, it was no surprise they had Colonel Wight perform their re-enlistment. The surprise, however, was that it wasn't Col. Lee Wight, 52nd FW commander, it was his wife, Lt. Col. (retired) Mara Wight who performed the ceremony.

The Autrys and the Wights were both stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., prior to arriving here, and Melody worked for each of the Wights while there.

"I worked for Mrs. (then major) Wight when she was the director of staff at the 27th Fighter Wing and then went over to the 27th Operations Group and worked for (then 27th OG commander) Colonel Wight," said Melody.

Not only did Melody work for both the Wights while stationed at Cannon AFB, Col. Lee Wight also re-enlisted both her and John there, as well.

"With Melody working for both of the Wights before, and the fact that he re-enlisted both of us for our last re-enlistments, makes it even more special that Mrs. Wight could perform the ceremony this time," John said. "I wanted my final re-enlistment to be special, and having Mrs. Wight give us the oath made it more special than I could have imagined."

Mrs. Wight echoed that same sentiment.

"The last thing I expected them to ask me was to have the honor of re-enlisting them," she said. "I've known and worked with the Autrys for the past six years, and I cannot emphasize enough the immense pleasure and pride I had to put on my service-dress uniform again and restate the enlistment oath with them."

Mrs. Wight retired as a lieutenant colonel last September, but the Air Force core values and the meaning behind the enlistment oath are a part of her day-to-day life.

To be able to re-enlist someone by giving them the oath means so much because we're reciting the words stating what we're all willing to lay our lives down for," she said. "To be able to carry on this tradition and re-instill the pride, the history and the service for John and Melody - fellow Airmen - on this occasion is a highlight."

When both technical sergeants were receiving the enlistment oath last week, they had an unexpected standing-room-only audience. Not only were their co-workers and a few invited people in attendance, but standing to the side was Col. Lee Wight ensuring the Autrys and Wights could share another milestone together.

"I can't think of anyone other than family I would've wanted to be there more," said Melody. "But with the Wights there, it was the next best thing."