PLHS Graduate Promoted to Lieutentant Colonel
by Armin Landis
February 25, 2008
As a young Perry-Lecompton student, becoming an astronaut was all that Curt Culver could imagine. At that time, most astronauts were fighter pilots, therefore Curt’s path to space would come through the Air Force. The application process began in 1985, the fall of his junior year at PLHS. He graduated from PLHS in 1987, and then later graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1992 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Culver had to complete two years of pilot training just to be an F-16 pilot. While serving in the Air Force, Culver has traveled to over thirty countries/territories worldwide. In his last job, he was the primary assistant and trusted advisor to a 3-Star General in command of the United States Central Command. This General was in charge of all air operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Culver enjoyed the opportunity to meet with national representatives of these partner countries and helped ensure coordination with the Army, Navy and Marines. For his services in Iraq, the Air Force awarded Lt. Culver the Bronze Star for…”meritorious service as Aide de Camp to the Commander while supporting ground and air operations against the enemy from various locations.” On January 1, 2008, in recognition of his hard work and dedication, the Air Force promoted Curt Culver to Lieutenant Colonel.
Culver stated that “I believe that the most important thing that I learned at Perry Lecompton was diversity. During my school years, I was pretty much involved in everything from sports, drama, band, FBLA, Knowledge Bowl, Forensics, Athletic Directors aide, etc. Participating in these activities introduced me to many different types of people involved in athletics, thespians, etc. It taught me how to be more diverse in my personal interactions and has become extremely valuable in my current position.” The one piece of advice that Culver would give to current PLHS students would be “…the philosophy of never give up on your dreams. A mentor of mine once said, “To try and fail is better than to have not tried at all.” His logic was simple, in attempting to achieve something; you get a simple answer – success or failure, whereas in not attempting, all you get is doubt.” Therefore Culver’s message to the students of PLHS is….”never give up on your dreams, it will not be easy, but that makes the achievement even more special.
Not only is he a PLHS grad but his parents, Bill and Stef Culver are long time residents of Perry and employees of the school district. From 1976 to the present at least one of the Culver’s has been a teacher on the middle school staff. His father, Bill, retired from full time employment in the district 5 years ago. Bill has had a career of teaching PE, coaching all sports, serving as building principal for the district, and working as a district administrator here in Perry. Even after retirement he has continued to serve the middle school as part-time P.E. teacher and coaches both Football and Track. Stef, Curt’s mother, began her teaching career 24 years ago in the Perry district and is also at the Middle School. Today she teaches science, socials studies, and is the Head Boys Track coach.
Lt. Colonel Culver’s current assignment is Chief of Plans and Inspections for the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base near Columbia, South Carolina where he resides with his wife Amy and two sons, Ben – 9 and Ethan -5. Known by his call sign "Spaz", Culver continues to fly F-16’s in his current assignment and is signed up to stay in the Air Force through 2015. At that time, he will determine whether to stay at it or retire. At the time of this interview, Lt. Colonel Culver stated that “The significance of this rank is that it will allow me the opportunity to be a Squadron Commander. In the next couple of years, I hopefully will be given a Squadron to lead which would mean I would be in charge of 200-300 airmen.” NEWS FLASH…The Air Force didn’t wait a couple of years. Within a couple of weeks of this interview, Lt. Colonel Culver was notified by the Air Force that he will take charge of the OSS or Operational Support Squadron at Shaw. The change of command ceremony will occur this April 11th. Curt’s proud parents, Bill and Stef Culver will be in attendance when son Curt takes over the squadron.
The Perry-Lecompton school district proudly salutes one of our own, Lieutenant Colonel Curt Culver, United States Air Force.
