However, you never know when someone might notice the hard work of this crew – including, sometimes, very powerful people. Consider the experience of Jim Rhodes, who helps maintain more than a dozen airplanes as a Senior Quality Manager with DynCorp International.

“We just recently received a video from [Secretary of State] Condeleeza Rice praising our aircraft and crew,” said Rhodes, a 20-year Air Force veteran. “She spoke very highly of our staff – how clean the aircraft was, how safe it was, and how quickly we responded to the needs of her and her staff. Needless to say, watching that video was very gratifying.”

Such stellar service is all in a day’s work for Rhodes and his colleagues. Based on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Rhodes commands a team of 15 Quality Assessors responsible for the safe, efficient daily operation and maintenance of 15 aircraft valued at over $700 million.

But these C-32/757 and C-40/737 planes are no ordinary aircrafts. They fly out each day to serve Vice President Dick Cheney, First Lady Laura Bush, and various members of Congress and the Senate. (Air Force Two is the crown jewel of this group.)

Ensuring the Safe Transport of Politicians and Dignitaries
The bulk of Rhodes’ job involves conducting performance evaluations of onsite DynCorp mechanics – specifically, how well they adhere to established safety rules and guidelines. This data is then compiled into a matrix to create an accurate picture of operational efficiency.

“I usually get to work at 0600 in the morning,” said the former Senior Master Sergeant. “A lot of my day is spent in meetings, but I also visit the flight line to make sure the aircrafts are going out and to find out about any concerns or issues raised by the mechanics.

“The great thing about my job is that it’s the exact same thing I did in uniform,” he continued. “In fact, when DynCorp first got the contract to do this job, I helped with the transition from military staff to civilian contractors. So I still work with a lot of the people I knew on active duty.”

One of the Premier Military Staffing Companies
Dyncorp International is a staffing company that provides specialized mission-critical technical services, mostly to military institutions and civilian government agencies. The company operates major programs in aviation services and operations, law enforcement training and support, security services, facility operations, and logistics and contingency support. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., DynCorp has approximately 14,000 employees worldwide.

“This is a great place for veterans,” Rhodes said. “A lot of my managers are former military. And there are so many contacts here, especially for people who have worked in aircraft repair and maintenance.”

Looking to Serve his Country
Rhodes enlisted in the Air Force in 1984. A native of Grafton, W. Va., he yearned to see the world and serve his country. His father, an Army man, advised Rhodes that if he were going to enlist, the Air Force would be his best option. After basic training and tech school, Rhodes served in North Carolina, Japan, the Middle East, and Maryland.

He spent nearly 10 years at Andrews, and his family really loved the area, even buying a house. However, in 2004 Rhodes was sent on a year-long solo assignment to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Lonely and isolated from his family, Rhodes decided to leave the military.

“I loved being in the Air Force, but I loved my family more,” he said. “We had put down roots in the D.C. area, my wife had a good job, and my boys were in high school.”

While taking transition classes, Rhodes informed active duty and retired buddies about his impending transition. Immediately, his old boss at Andrews – now in charge of the DynCorp contract – contacted him.

“There was an opening, and he knew I could do the job,” Rhodes said. “So I basically just traded in my uniform for civilian clothes.”

Although he took a pay cut, Rhodes advanced quickly with DynCorp, starting out as a Program Manager and moving up to Senior Quality Manager within two years. In addition, he receives a military pension, which offsets increases in his family’s cost of living.

“Also, the environment here is great,” Rhodes said. “It’s a pleasure to come to the base everyday and be around the military atmosphere – with a company that truly values veterans.”