HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — A Hill aerospace propulsion journeyman will step away from his Air Force career in August, with the goal of returning as a Space Operations Officer after spending four years at the University of Utah.

Senior Airman Jared Timmons with the 388th Maintenance Squadron received a commissioning opportunity through the Scholarships for Outstanding Airman to ROTC (SOAR), and is excited to continue his career after graduation.

“I’m super excited to do this,” Timmons said. “I really like being in the Air Force. If everything goes well, I plan on getting my commission and serving 20 years. I’m looking forward to this.”

Timmons plans to study Mechanical Engineering because he’s always been interested in how things work along with development and design.

The Frisco, Texas, native chose the University of Utah because he said it’s a good university and he and his wife are already established in the area.

“My wife works as a registered nurse here and right now, she is like the breadwinner of the family,” Timmons said. “She has supported me throughout this whole process and she is super happy for me.”

Timmons has been an Air Force member for three years. He said he loves his maintenance job and the people who support him.

“I really like this shop and I love this job,” he said. “The jet engine is pretty sweet. I’ve learned how to be a mechanic with tear down and build up, and that’s pretty cool.”

Timmons plans to work hard until his last day as a 388th jet mechanic.

“I will continue to give them my all,” Timmons said. “So far, I’ve done everything I can to be the best Airman I can be. I try to make sure everything I have a hand in goes as smoothly as possible. As an officer, I plan to play an even larger role in benefiting the Air Force in my new field.”

The SOAR scholarship pays for college tuition and fees up to $18,000 per year, gives an annual textbook allowance of $900 and a monthly stipend ranging from $300 to $500.