This is the 27th in a series about graduates from Mountain Valley High School who are serving our country in the military.

Michelle Eastman was in the first graduating class from Mountain Valley High School in 1990. Then she graduated from Trinity College in Vermont with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology, minoring in psychology. She also earned an Associate’s degree in Human Service.

After working at an IBM plant in security, she decided to enter the “family business.”

She joined the U. S. Air Force and attained the rank of Senior Airman, SrA.

SrA Eastman explained her motivation, “My brother Dennis was previously enlisted in the USAF in 1988 and I found it intriguing. I wanted to serve my country.”

So in August 2006, it was off to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Then she was stationed in Washington, DC. and Minot, ND.

“While in the Air Force, I was a Civil Engineer,” SrA Eastman said. “I was trained as an interior/exterior plumber.”

She was honorably discharged in August 2000, after having served four years. Her life then took some turns from being a plumber to her current job serving as a probations officer.

SrA Eastman explained, “I was a correctional officer for five years in Florida, was blessed to be a stay at home mom for two years, and I am currently a probation officer in North Carolina, and have been doing that work for nearly seven years.”

Her daughters are 11-year-old Olivia and eight-year-old Trista.

What she learned in the Air Force has served her well in her career path and in her role as mom.

“In the service, one of the things I learned was teamwork,” SrA Eastman recalled. “Teamwork in the military was amazing.”

Despite having been a civilian for more than a decade, she still thinks of those who serve their country.

SrA Eastman urges us to keep those service members in mind and to thank them.

“Although I never went abroad, I think what would mean a lot to all service members’ is knowing that they have the support of their communities and their country behind them. Remind them of how much you appreciate their service.”

SrA Eastman is the daughter of Robert and Brenda Eastman, originally of Mexico. They now reside in Goldsboro, NC. Brother Dennis Eastman lives in Boca Raton, FL, and her sister, Tricia Greenwell, has settled in Goldsboro, NC.

If you know of a MVHS alumnus who is currently serving their country or has recently finished their enlistment, please contact Donna Peare at dpeare@rsu10.org.