Sailing Sky and Sea

I fulfilled my lifelong dream of flying fighters two years after leaving MMA.

MMA provided the four-year degree I needed for flying and a Third Mate license to pursue sailing, which I did after my career in the Air Force.

Though I was not a pilot (due to my eyesight), I was able to fly as Weapon Systems Officer in the rear cockpit of the F-4E Phantom. It was an incredible experience and more fun than I could have imagined.

We were constantly training, which encompassed many different things like dropping bombs, strafing targets, dog fighting, and flying really fast at very low altitude.

The second half of my military career involved working as a staff officer, which included two tours at the White House as a military liaison within the Executive Office of the President. I was there during the Clinton-Bush transition, the 911 attacks, and the Bush-Obama transition.

The work of which I am most proud is the deployment of the RC-26B surveillance aircraft. In 2003 I was the RC-26B Program Manager and was tasked by the Pentagon to support ground troops in Iraq. The workload was arduous but we had incredible success. The reason I am so proud of this accomplishment is that we saved countless American lives.

Perry Cubeta ’83 achieved his dream of flying fighters in his early career, became a staff officer, and then retrained to work at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.

Before my Air Force retirement, I decided to pursue a second career at sea. I called the Coast Guard and asked what I needed to renew my Third Mate license. I had to take 11 STCW courses and the Third Mate test all over again, which I did in about 10 months.

I initially started in the Gulf working on supply boats. After a year-and-a-half, I received my 1600T Master, Unlimited Second Mate license and full DPO certification. I then went to drill ships for three-and-a-half years before coming ashore in 2016 due to my daughter becoming very ill.

I volunteered to speak at MMA last September because throughout my early career, I had made many mistakes regarding career progression. I did not actively manage my career as I should have. I want to pass along my knowledge so that young people understand the essential things they need to know and practice in order to fulfill their dreams. What I have come to realize is that we don’t make mistakes early in our careers because we’re “young and stupid,” but because we are trying to do something we have never done before. We end up learning by our mistakes and in many cases make so many mistakes that we can’t get back on the path we want to be on. My intent is to keep those mistakes to a minimum.

I stress my four cornerstones for success: 1) We all understand the importance of “work hard,” but “work smart” is the necessity to actively manage your career; 2) Education and training never stop. You must continually pursue further education/training to progress in your career; 3) Stay out of trouble, which applies in and outside the workplace. In today’s culture, trouble can be a career-stopper; 4) Maintain good character and personality. This entails adherence to moral principles, leading by example, and establishing good relations.

My lecture was well received and I’m grateful to MMA for allowing me to speak with them. I enjoy the opportunity to educate our future leaders on ways to enhance their careers once they leave MMA. It’s my way of giving back to an institution that provided the foundation needed to build a successful career.█

—By COL. PERRY S. CUBETA ’83 (RET), DPO, SECOND MATE

Photos: courtesy of Perry S. Cubeta and Billy R. Sims

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