Soaring Ambitions: A Path to Air Force Service

With a life-long passion for military aircraft, Benjamin Eerkes always knew a career in aviation was his calling. "Ever since high school, I have had a goal of joining the Air Force," says Eerkes. "I knew it would be tough, but it seemed as if God was calling me to join."

As he began exploring college options, Eerkes found that Dordt University’s mechanical engineering program aligned well with his goals. "I decided to major in engineering technology because it offered hands-on skills and practical knowledge that would be useful not only for a career in the Air Force, but also something I could fall back on in case I decided not to join," he explains.

At Dordt, Eerkes found a strong academic program that also provided more clarity about his future. "With the skills I was acquiring, a job in avionics seemed to be both a logical choice and a job I would enjoy," he says.

Tim Floen, instructor of engineering technology at Dordt, adds that, as Eerkes progressed in his Engineering Technology degree, “he became confident in his abilities and his calling to military service as a technician.”

That confidence translated into clear results. "The courses in the curriculum for engineering technology were particularly helpful in preparing me for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), specifically ones concerning electricity," says Eerkes. "I knew almost nothing about electricity before Dordt, so I owe it to the professors who taught these courses for the high score I was able to achieve."

His academic preparation paid off significantly. To achieve his goal of becoming an aircraft technician in the Air Force, Eerkes needed to score in the 70th percentile on an electrical/electronic pretest exam online, followed by an in-person exam. Impressively, he scored in the 98th percentile on both the pretest and the in-person exams.

Now, as he transitions into technical training with the Air Force, Eerkes feels equipped and motivated. "The knowledge I gained from the engineering technology program at Dordt will give me an opportunity to stand out among other airmen," he says. "I hope to be able to progress quickly and understand my job more fully, which might lead to opportunities to be a leader in the future."

Beyond the classroom, Eerkes found ways to explore his other interests and build relationships around campus, including Choral and Canons of Dordt choirs, trap club, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Additionally, Eerkes participated in the Assistance Animal Club, “which works with Partners for Patriots to train service dogs to be donated to veterans,” explains Eerkes. Through this club, Eerkes was able to care for and train a potential service dog through its first year of training.

Partnered with a poodle named Theo, Eerkes was responsible for Theo’s daily training and well-being, gaining firsthand experience in discipline and time management. “As a full-time student involved in extracurriculars, I had to learn responsibility and networking in order to fully care for Theo,” he says. “There were certain classes that I could take Theo to, but others—like labs—I could not. I needed to make sure Theo was getting enough exercise, bathroom breaks, food, water, and socialization, especially when I was gone. Without the help of my roommates and other fellow students, this would not have been possible. It took a lot of networking and creative scheduling to fully care for Theo.”

Looking back, Eerkes recognizes that caring for Theo helped him gain valuable skills and relationships. "The experience allowed me to meet and bring joy to many people," says Eerkes. "Many of my friends now are people I would have never known without the experience of caring for Theo."

Not only did Eerkes appreciate the skills, knowledge, and relationships built in his classes and campus life at Dordt, but he also valued the way his faith was challenged. "Spending time with like-minded peers forming a foundation of personal beliefs really helped shape my faith,” explains Eerkes. "The atmosphere that Dordt provided is something that I will never forget. Not only were we being built up, but we were also being challenged.”

That spiritual formation has proven essential as he steps into military life. "Dordt helped prepared me to live as a Christian in a military environment,” reflects Eerkes. “I am surrounded by different beliefs every day, but the independence and confidence in my faith that I gained from my time at Dordt will continue to help me maintain a strong foundation.”