I'm Joining the World's Greatest Air Force

It's Time for a Second Sky

In November 2018, I wrote a letter to Jennie Taylor, the widow of Maj. Brent
Taylor, a U.S. National Guardsman who, was killed in Kabul. Maj. Taylor
embodied service to a cause greater than oneself—a sacrifice I deeply
understood as an Afghan Air Force pilot. That letter, published in The
Washington Post was my way of honoring his legacy while grappling with
the heavy weight of service and loss. Today, as I prepare to join the U.S. Air
Force, I reflect on how that moment foreshadowed a journey I am now
ready to embrace.

Col Rahmani’s Letter (Personal Photo)

My life has been shaped by service and profound loss. As a transportation
pilot, I led missions to save lives and sustain forces. Later, as a Colonel and
strategic leader in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, I envisioned a
brighter future for my homeland. I reported directly to the president and
stood at the heart of Afghanistan’s national security efforts. For years, I
believed in our path. But when Kabul fell in 2021, that belief crumbled.
I remember watching Kabul’s collapse from afar as a student at the
National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Images of desperate
parents lifting their children over barbed wire and clinging to papers that
symbolized hope haunted me. My own family had found safety in the United
States just two months earlier, but I couldn’t silence the guilt of survival. I
was safe, but my people weren’t. The purpose that had defined my life
suddenly felt lost.

Rebuilding in the United States has been a humbling experience. From
studying at esteemed institutions like NDU and becoming a member of
McCain Global Leaders, I’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge. Yet, no job has
filled the void left by my service. The closest I’ve come to finding purpose
has been helping resettle Afghan refugees—finding homes for families,
connecting them with jobs, and advocating for those left behind. Still, a
more profound call has persisted: the call to serve once more.

Joining the U.S. Air Force is not about restarting a career; it’s about
reclaiming purpose. As an Afghan Air Force pilot, I knew the fulfillment of
serving something larger than myself, just like Brent Taylor—evacuating
civilians under threat, supplying forces in remote areas, and contributing to
missions that mattered. That sense of mission shaped who I am, and it’s a
part of me I cannot let go.

However, life in the United States is a whirlwind of opportunity, yet it can be
overwhelming for refugees. The pace of life here moves with relentless
momentum, demanding constant adaptation. For those rebuilding from
scratch, the challenges can feel insurmountable. Refugees thrive and build
new lives, but I’ve also seen many lost in the transition. It’s easy to feel
untethered in a land of infinite possibilities. But within this struggle lies the
potential for rediscovery. The Air Force offers me more than a career—it
provides direction. It is a community bound by values of service, discipline,
and excellence. I can use my leadership skills to contribute to a nation that
has given my family a new home. Joining the Air Force is my way of giving
back and honoring the second chance this country has given us.
This decision is also profoundly personal. The U.S. opened its doors to my family
when our world fell apart. Joining the Air Force is a way to say thank you—
not just through words but through action. It’s an alignment of values:
protecting freedom, advancing democracy, and continuing a legacy of
resilience.

The Air Force offers a stable foundation for rebuilding life. Healthcare,
housing, and education benefits mean more than survival; they mean
growth and opportunity for my children. But beyond the practical benefits
lies a chance to inspire. Through my blog, Second Sky, I will share stories of
purpose and resilience. Joining the Air Force continues that message. It’s a
way to show others—especially immigrants and refugees—that service is
not just a duty but a path to belonging and growth. Service isn’t easy,
however. It’s often exhausting, thankless, and grueling. But it is also
transformative. The Air Force demands discipline, respect, and commitment
but also shapes leaders. That’s what I aspire to contribute to and what I
hope to continue building within myself. Therefore, joining the Air Force is
more than a decision—it’s a calling. As I prepare to answer that call, I do so
with pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. I hope my journey
inspires others to rise, rebuild, and rediscover the power of service.

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You can read more about Colonel Rahmani’s quest at Second Sky.