F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Not every Airman plans to make a lifetime career in the Air Force. Some first-term Airmen find themselves mapping their careers as only a four year experience. Then the years come and go, and the decision to reenlist comes up. 

For different reasons, many Airmen decide to stay in, and before they know it, it's already time to retire after decades of service. Sound familiar? Well for one Airman, when he entered basic training in August 1977, he was thinking the same thing. 

Lt. Col. Tom Haines, 90th Medical Support Squadron commander, entered the Air Force as an enlisted member 30 years ago this August. 

Last month, Colonel Haines was selected for promotion to colonel. He never thought he would come this far in his career. 

"Thirty years ago, if somebody told me I would be a colonel some day, I would have just laughed at them," Colonel Haines said. 

Colonel Haines came from the town of Warren, Penn. After high school, he felt the Air Force would be the best future for him. 

"I grew up in a blue-collar family, which instilled in me a strong work ethic, but college wasn't really an option," Colonel Haines said. "I joined because I wanted to get some training, have a secure job and have time to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life." 

Colonel Haines only planned to serve four years in the Air Force then go back to Pennsylvania, but all it took was a little encouragement from a supervisor to convince him that getting a higher education is a priority. 

"As an airman basic I worked for a chief master sergeant," Colonel Haines said. "When I finished my CDCs and upgraded to a five level, he told me I have to take college classes if I wanted to work for him." 

That chief convinced Colonel Haines that he can do more in the Air Force than just be "average." He still keeps in contact with the chief to this day. 

Colonel Haines was commissioned as an officer in April 1986, 19 days after sewing on the rank of technical sergeant. At that point in his career, he knew he wanted to stay in the Air Force until he retired, whether it was as an officer or enlisted. 

Colonel Haines said he's absolutely satisfied with his career up to this point. 

"One thing that's kind of neat about making colonel is that it just completes [my career]," he said. "It's the icing on the cake." 

Education, determination and guidance have led Colonel Haines to this point in his career and a lot can be learned from him as well as other leaders. 

"Do the absolute best you can do in the job you're in. Focus on what you're doing today, and you will be ready for the future," Colonel Haines said.