Hi! My name is Walter Dainels. Born and raised in Dayton, OH, I was the middle child of a very young family. Throughout my childhood, life was rough but understood for I navigated it appropriately. Didn’t have much to look for, but sports where my outlet from society. Football was primary through high school, but I also played baseball and basketball on the varsity level. My football journey was impressive to me, I had a lot of schools show interest in my potential, but not many offered a scholarship.

So, in order to pay for college, I decided to enlist into the Army reserve, because I knew my life was more than just X’s and O’s. From 2015 to 2018 I was in the Army Reserve, and in 2018 

I enlisted into the Alabama Army National Guard, for I was attending college at Alabama State University.

 At Alabama State I took up Interdisciplinary Studies, this major focuses on 2 majors combining them into one, my concentrations were Mathematics and Communication. Here I also joined Nu Alpha Nu Service Fraternity Inc. In 2019 I was recruited by the Air National guard, and there my life began to change in ways I never knew possible. I started my career as a Crew Chief at the 187th on the F-16 Viper. In 2020 I attended Tech School finishing top 3 in my class.

From there I completed Hot Training, then back to Alabama where I was a full-time mechanic.

At the 187th; I participated in Sempre Fly, and Operation Noble Eagle, where I received the Air Force Achievement Medal for Outstanding Achievement. In 2021, I was blessed with an opportunity to fly in, the Red Tails Flight Academy here in Tuskegee, AL, where I earned my Private Pilot License. Because of this opportunity I’ve reached goals and dreams I never knew possible. From there I’ve established a new purpose for my life and goals to match that purpose.

First is to one day be an established pilot in the Air Force, I made a promise to a Col of mines.

He told me to not just fix military planes, but to one day fly them. I implore myself to stay true to those words. Secondly to fly professionally as an Airline Pilot, I received a 737 pin from my grandfather a week before he passed. I feel obligated to reach that goal, to honor his legacy. 

Third, to one day open a nonprofit Aviation Piloting and Maintenance school in my hometown, to give the kids from that community a different avenue. To explore an opportunity and world, they never knew possible or don’t have the access to. Lastly to open up a nonprofit day care for

children with special needs, my grandmother who was a key person in my life and growth. I

want to honor her legacy by opening up a day care, in her name and profession. Because of the

Red Tails Flight Academy, I’ve set myself on a new path that is boundless, and I am extremely

blessed, grateful, and willing to one day inspire the youth and community to grow as I have.