100th SFS Airman emigrates from India, fulfills Air Force dream

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  American Airmen don’t have to be born on U.S. soil; it’s what their character is made of that gives them integrity first, allows them to put service before self, and makes them strive for excellence in all they do.

Various cultures and backgrounds make the Air Force stronger and provide the framework for its strong diversity.

One Airman was born more than 8,000 miles from America, but is proud to serve alongside his brothers and sisters in the U.S. Air Force. His humble background made him the man he is today, and has made him appreciate each and every day.

“I didn’t know my parents; I don’t remember them,” reflected Airman 1st Class Robin John, 100th Security Forces Squadron response force member. “I grew up in India for 16 years, in a boarding school with around 100 kids — all males. The school was pretty much like an orphanage.”

Then one ordinary day, something extraordinary happened in the form of a couple all the way from a town in America.

“I was 12 when foreigners from Texas began the process to adopt me,” he explained. “We had people come by every once in a while to adopt kids. I was the lucky one because I got adopted by Americans. They came over to the school and I remember them talking to my boarding school headmaster. When he said I was going to get adopted, I didn’t believe it, because coming to America was a dream come true.”

His new parents embarked on a journey that would see this boy become part of their family. In order to make the move less of an upheaval for him, they began to bond on John’s home soil.

“My mom would visit me every year or so, just to hang out and get to know me while I was still at the boarding school,” John said. “She would take me around India, just as a vacation kind of thing. It took around four years for everything to go through, and then I finally went to the States to begin my new life.”

It may have been a dream his brothers in the school would have given anything for, but like many things in life, it wasn’t easy.

“At 16 years old I came to the States and had to learn English from scratch. It was a culture shock. Everything I had learned was different compared to western culture. In America there are all sorts of people from all around the world,” he said in amazement. “I love the different seasons, something some people don’t even think about, but I love the first leaves of fall or the first ray of sun in spring.”

It wasn’t only the culture that was different. John was used to sharing a life with people his own age and from the same background. Now, at a point in life when he had developed his own ideas and attributes, he was part of a family from a whole new country. His new family had boundaries and expectations set down in order for John to turn into the young man most parents dream their children will become.

“I wasn’t used to living in a family with parents and siblings (as I grew up with kids my own age) so it was completely different,” John said. “Growing up in India, I didn’t have rules really, but my parents wanted the best for me and wanted me to be the best I could be.”

Although the culture is different, east to west, one aspect from his homeland was a comfort to him in his new family ideals, a similarity they could share and grow.

“My adopted parents are religious, but they’re open minded,” John added. “I grew up as a Christian in India, in a catholic boarding school. But I had all sorts of different friends from different religions such as Muslims, Buddhist and Hindu.”

Later, he was fortunate to have his new family grow.

“I have three little sisters now and I’m close with them,” John added.

The stable home life his parents provided enabled their son to graduate high school, and in doing so, meet someone who would change his life.

“When I graduated high school some U.S. Air Force recruiters came and talked to me,” John said. “Join the U.S. military? I didn’t think twice about signing up because I always wanted to be in the military. Growing up in India it was going to be the Indian air force. In India the air force is considered the upper branch, the best of the best. So to serve in the Air Force and work with U.S. Airmen? Sign me up!”

Today, along with other duties, he defends the gate on RAF Mildenhall. He works the 12-hour night shift, not because he loves the bitter cold of winter, but because he’s proud to stand beside his brothers and sisters in arms.

“John is one of my most hardworking, dedicated, and knowledgeable young Airmen,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Covill, 100th SFS flight chief. “It doesn’t matter where any of my Airmen are from, they all share the same likes and dislikes; from traveling, watching a good comedy movie, or playing on the guitar. John is an American Airman through and through.”

While John puts on the uniform each day, he never forgets where he came from or what his parents did for him all those years ago.

“I still think of India as home. I went back there once after I came to the States, and I’m considered like a god, as I’m in the U.S. Air Force,” he said proudly. “I consider myself both Indian and American. Half my life I spent in India, but I’m thankful for all the amazing years I have spent in the States, and the countries I’ve been lucky enough to live in while serving this great country.”

John may not have been born and raised in America, but he upholds the legacy of those that came before him.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

(Extract taken from the Airman’s creed https://www.airforce.com/mission/vision)