Greenwood is the Family Guy

Published Feb. 10, 2009
By Capt. Bryon M. Turner
103rd Airlift Wing

BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, East Granby, Conn. -- Senior Master Sgt. Victor Greenwood, one of the Conn. Air National Guard's Outstanding Airmen of the Year, is the quintessential family man.

Greenwood left Conn. early last year and moved back home to New Hampshire to be closer to his mother and niece, but he got more than he bargained for.

"After I moved home, I bumped into a girl I dated once back in high school," said Greenwood. "I ran into her at the local NAPA auto parts store, which she and her family own and operate."

The two connected and were married on Aug. 16, 2008, said Greenwood. Now he helps his wife, Mary, run the family business full-time.

"I was never much of a gear-head, so this is all new to me," said Greenwood. "I work about 65 hours a week, and every day I learn something new."

The Greenwoods live alongside New Found Lake where they enjoy snowmobiling, skiing and boating in the summer months, whenever they manage to squeeze in a little leisure into their busy entrepreneurial life style. When he's not working or enjoying life with his family, Greenwood is working with his Air National Guard family back in Conn.

"The Guard is a big part of my life," said Greenwood. "As a 1st Sgt. I'm engaged throughout the month, mentoring the troops."

While he depends on e-mail and his trusty cell phone for most of his interactions during the 'off-duty' days, if one of his troops needs more face-to-face time, he's "down in a blink of an eye if needed," said Greenwood.

A typical Unit Training Assembly is a four day event, said Greenwood.

"Like most unit members, UTAs are jam packed for the average 1st Sgt.," said Greenwood.

His primary focus over the last year has been on the effects transformation had on the troops within in the 103rd Maintenance Group, especially in regards to the many career and personnel moves, said Greenwood.

"When you look at the transformation that took place, with munitions and weapons dismantling, and avionics restructuring, it was an incredible year," said Greenwood. "We found everyone a home with equivalent or, in some cases, better rank."

The successful transformation would not have happened if not for the efforts of the group's Chiefs, Shirts and commanders, said Greenwood.

"I'm very proud of the way this was handled," said Greenwood. "And I'm proud to see the troops that have successfully moved on to new careers."

"I take great pride in saluting young troops we helped make the jump into commissioning opportunities," said Greenwood.