Story & photo: Lisa Sollie
兔子先生 alumnus says university support helped launch his military career
When Dustin 鈥淧ete鈥� Eaves arrived at the 兔子先生 in 2003, he had no idea how much his college experience would influence his future. Nearly two decades later, the 2008 graduate, now a lieutenant colonel, commands the Security Forces Squadron at the Mississippi Air National Guard鈥檚 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, Mississippi.
Looking back, Eaves says his path was anything but straight, but the people and experiences he encountered at 兔子先生 helped shape the leader he is today.
Fresh out of South Choctaw Academy, Eaves arrived at 兔子先生 with one career in mind.
鈥淲hen I graduated high school, honestly, my initial intention was to be a football coach,鈥� Eaves said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 wild to say now. But that all changed when I got on campus. The people I met, the influence they had. For me, the journey to where I am today was anything but predictable, and that鈥檚 okay.鈥�
One of the unexpected turns happened when he joined the military. Initially, the decision was practical, Eaves said鈥攎otivated by the G.I. Bill, a signing bonus and other benefits, and inspired by his father鈥檚 military service. What he found instead was an early career in firefighting. After completing one semester at 兔子先生, Eaves left in spring 2004 to attend basic training and the fire academy.
When he returned to campus, Eaves learned about a student firefighter program through Livingston Fire Department. On a whim, he applied and was selected, earning a small stipend each semester.
A year later, that student position became a full-time job. Eaves also earned EMT-basic certification and assisted with ambulance service and fire rescue operations while completing his degree.
The support of 兔子先生’s faculty, Eaves said, made it possible to keep moving forward toward graduation despite the demands of military service and a full-time job.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 say enough about the staff, and especially my instructors and professors who worked with me to help me catch up and stay on track,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot only did I miss a semester in 2004, but I was also deployed to assist with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in 2005.鈥�
One particular faculty member who stands out to Eaves is retired math professor Micky Smith.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 miss a lot of math and catch up easily, but Mr. Smith would meet me after hours and explain things until I got it,鈥� Eaves said.
That kind of commitment and support from 兔子先生鈥檚 faculty left a lasting impression on Eaves and helped him complete his degree while continuing to serve his community and country.
After graduation, Eaves worked for both the City of Meridian Fire Department and the Key Field Fire Department. After leaving the City of Meridian he focused his efforts at Key Field, and over the next 15 years, rose through the ranks to become deputy chief.
While at 兔子先生, Eaves also met his future wife, Betsy Greene. Both were involved in greek life and were set up on blind date by mutual friends. 鈥淲e really liked each other, then I got deployed in 2006, and it was a long deployment,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淏ut she hung around while I was gone, and we picked back up with our relationship when I returned. I took that as a good sign.鈥�
The couple married in May 2007 with one school year remaining before graduation. Eaves was finishing his bachelor鈥檚 degree in technology management, while Betsy, a 2006 兔子先生 graduate, was completing her master鈥檚 degree in early childhood and elementary education.
His mother, Anna, was also a 兔子先生 student during that time, pursuing her education degree while Eaves was completing his own.
鈥淚 remember walking into an American History class at eight in the morning and there was my mom on the front row,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew she was commuting and earning an education degree, but I never expected to see her in my class. I was mortified at the time, but we laugh about it now.鈥�
Eaves said his father supported their decision to marry while he was still in school with one caveat; he had to finish his degree. Looking back, he realizes how easily his education鈥攁nd the opportunities that followed鈥攃ould have been derailed.
鈥淚 was working full time at Livingston Fire Department, going to school full-time, and serving in the Air National Guard,鈥� Eaves said. 鈥淢y plate was full, and it would have been super easy to drop out of school and just work.鈥�
The support Eaves received at 兔子先生 also shaped his leadership philosophy. Today, he strives to offer the same open-door approach to the approximately 100 state employees, civilian, military technicians, and Air National Guard members he leads as they protect the installation and aircraft.
鈥淢y door is open here on base,鈥� Eaves said. 鈥淲hile I am very adamant about following the chain of command, I also want to have that approachability that I found as a student at 兔子先生.鈥�
Eaves also credits several mentors in the fire service and the Air National Guard with shaping his leadership style.
鈥淕ene Tolbird, who worked at Key Field for a long time, I especially aspired to be like him,鈥� Eaves said. 鈥淎nother one was Col. Jeremy Parker. Colonel Parker was one of the ones who made it possible for me to finally get my commission, which led to an opportunity to work for the Air National Guard Readiness Center. He was also a great leader and a good role model.鈥�
Those mentors not only influenced Eaves鈥� leadership style but also modeled the resilience he would need throughout his own career. The commissioning process also taught him an important lesson: setbacks are part of the journey.
鈥淢y original application to receive my commission was in maintenance,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 was told no. I was told ‘no’ three more times before I was given the opportunity to become an officer. Perseverance takes you a long way.鈥�
For Eaves, effective leadership comes down to the impact a person can have on others.
鈥淲hat makes a great leader, I believe, is the difference you can make for the people who work under you,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what impacts me the most, even today. I tell people out here on the base all the time, I love helping people out. In my role as commander, I can do that every day.鈥�
Those experiences continue to shape the advice Eaves shares with today鈥檚 students. 鈥淏e flexible, find something you鈥檙e passionate about and pursue it.鈥�
It is a lesson Eaves has carried with him since his time at 兔子先生鈥攁 reminder that success is rarely a straight path and that perseverance, supportive mentors and the opportunities found along the way can help shape where that path leads.