African-American Heritage: Shaw pilot lives American dream Published April 13, 2006 By Senior Airman Joel Mease 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The American dream for many people is to persevere through tough surroundings and beginnings to become a successful person and leader. For Maj. Anthony Roberson, 20th Operations Group chief of standardization and evaluations, he is making that dream a reality. A product of inner-city Oakland, Calif., some would say Maj. Roberson's life was over before it began. Growing up in a challenging and often abusive environment surrounded by violence and drugs, he started life in a broken home. "My mother was completely overwhelmed by life and turned to drugs as her escape. To this day, I believe that life as a single parent was more than she could handle. She really had no place to turn and thought she had no one to turn to. As a result, my sister, brother and I were temporarily entered in foster care." As a child, he had been dealt a bad hand until his grandmother, Billie Brooks, came into his life. His grandmother left her job as a successful entertainer in Philadelphia to raise her grandchildren. "She essentially gave up her life so that we could live ours. She continues to be the most influential person in my life," said Maj. Roberson. As quickly as his grandmother had come to save him and his siblings from a shattered home, tragedy struck again claiming her life. "I'll never forget the night that she died ... I held her as she passed. I can still hear her voice and feel her strength today. She is a part of who I am and I won't let her down," said Maj. Roberson. Her tragic death opened up a door of opportunity as he was reunited with his father, who was an Army Sergeant Major. "Talk about rapid change and adversity. That was a big shock for me. Leaving that life and having to adapt to a new one, with a new caregiver, in a new country ... that was all different" said the major. "There were many times I wanted out, but I stayed." From Germany, his father took him to Missouri and then finally to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he began to bud as a dominant athlete. While in high school, he received All-State honors in football and track and was an Honor Society student. Several Division 1-A schools took a strong interest in having the young scholar athlete on their team and one was the U.S. Air Force Academy. He received a presidential nomination to the academy in 1985. During his short time with his father, Maj. Roberson said he was able to see the benefits of being part of the military family. However, the biggest factor for his decision to accept an appointment at the U.S. Air Force Academy was his grandmother. "While I didn't know much about the military, my grandmother invested a lot of time teaching me the value of serving people and making positive contributions at home, in the church and throughout the community," he said. "She taught me core values." Becoming a member of the Air Force family was one of the best decisions he has ever made, Maj. Roberson said. Playing football for the academy helped him develop the necessary skills to be an effective operational leader and mentor. While at the academy, the major was a three year starter. He led the Western Athletic Conference in all-purpose yardage during his final two years and was the team's MVP his senior year despite weighing only 152 pounds. Those experiences, he said, taught him how to compete and to lead. They taught him about finding victories in everything he does as a person and as an Airmen. "There is something about a fourth-and-one on the 1-yard line with the game on the line. Something about 11 people coming together. My leadership philosophy is made up from many of those on field experiences," he said. After graduating Maj. Roberson completed F-16 pilot training as a distinguished graduate. Since flight school, he has amassed nearly 2,000 hours in the F-16 and has flown more than 100 combat sorties. After 17 years of service to his country, he says it doesn't feel like he has worked a single day because he absolutely loves it. "I really don't think of the Air Force as a job. It is an honor and a privilege to serve. I sometimes would like to think my career in the Air Force will never end," he said. He said he knows eventually he will fly his final flight for the Air Force, but that doesn't mean he will stop being passionate about being a leader and serving people. "I would like to eventually be a Division 1-A football head coach. I want to be able to mold a team of young individuals and teach them about leadership and life," he said. Like his grandmother taught him years ago, public service continues to be a very important part of his life. "I just know I will be somewhere leading people to do something great. I honestly believe that God has called me to do nothing less in this life," Maj. Roberson said.