AUSTIN Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dr. Dawn Buckingham on Friday introduced the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB’s Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, they highlight the service of Maj. Rosa Kissling who served in United States Air Force.
Despite being born in Hawaii, Kissling grew up in the Philippines. It was during her childhood that she discovered her passion for travel and exploration. Kissling said the draw to joining the military came from the opportunity to visit new places and experience different cultures than her own.
“I was looking for adventure – I was trying to explore the world and see more than my little piece of the Philippines and the Air Force seemed like a great way to do it,” Kissling explained.
During her basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Kissling notes the challenges she faced while adjusting to the cultural differences. Besides the language barrier, life in the United States was very different than that of Southeast Asia.
“It was a culture shock for me,” Kissling recalled. “I’m not used to the many different accents and the different colored hair…everything was so new to me, so having to deal with all that in addition to basic training was a shocker.”
In 1991, Kissling went to her Military Occupational Specialty school in Pensacola, Florida. It was there she was trained to be a communications signal intelligence analyst for the Air Force. Dealing with classified information, Kissling described her experience in this specialty as very hush-hush and secretive. Due to the nature of the position, the training process had additional complexities.
“It was hard for me because there was no preparation since there wasn’t anything specific to prepare for,” she said. “It was difficult for me to grasp since nothing was tangible – you’re studying something you cannot see.”
Following her completion of the course, Kissling was stationed in Japan. While her initial reaction to this location was disappointment, she went on to enjoy her time back in Asia and sees it now as an influential moment in her military career. Kissling even recalls a core memory she had when she experienced snow for the first time.
“I didn’t know what snow was and I definitely did not expect to see it in Japan,” Kissling said, “that tells you that my view of the world at that time was very small.”
It was by Kissling’s hard work and determination that she not only went on to become a Major in the Air Force, but also was able to fulfill her desire for adventure and travel. Her gritty attitude and never-give-up mentality contributed to a successful 21 years in the military.
“Looking back, I believe that everything happens for a reason and I am going to miss the camaraderie and friendships I made,” Kissling shared.
Click here to listen to Maj. Rosa Kissling’s story of service.
