Col. Petito retires after a 24-year Air Force career

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN --  Col. Rick Petito, Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) former Test Systems Sustainment Division Chief, retired last month after 24 years of service in the Air Force.

In an interview, Petito spoke about his experiences at AEDC and in the Air Force.

High Mach: How would you describe your time at AEDC?

Col. Rick Petito: My tour at AEDC has been a blessing. I've worked with extraordinarily talented people, had an opportunity to learn maintenance management techniques from ATA using Best Industry Practices, learned about acquisition, and I think I've had a positive impact on our mission here.

HM: How would you describe your time in the Air Force?

Petito: We've changed so much since I joined the Air Force (AF) in 1989. You know when I came in the AF we used typewriters to do performance reports and the internet was still four years away. And for 23 of my 24 years in the AF, our country has been in combat - from Panama, to Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo, Somalia and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Libya. For those 23 years, our Air Force has done what was hard; we have achieved what was great. This has been a time for American heroes.

HM: How do you see the future of AEDC?

Petito: The future is bright for AEDC, however it won't be easy. The fiscal challenges, the change in contract construct in 2015, and CTF [Combined Test Force] structure all pose significant hurdles that will need to be overcome. Just ensuring the lines of communication across the various teams will be difficult, let alone a common vision, common effort. However, I firmly believe, Arnold has the leadership team in place right now, to make it work.

HM: What would be your life advice to a young commissioned officer?

Petito: If I have to give only one piece of advice to a young officer, it would be this - care most about excelling in your current job, and less - not zero - about managing your career. The former will ensure success in the latter.

HM: What are your plans for retirement?

Petito: I'm still young with a five-year-old son, therefore, I expect I'll continue to work after I retire from the AF - at least for another 10 years or so. Unlike many of my AF colonel friends, I intend to avoid the defense industry and focus on doing what I'm educated, trained and experienced to do well...maintenance management.

Petito, an Oklahoma native, plans to remain in the local area with his wife Shannon and son Thomas.