The name’s Bond, Dallas Bond

Veterans Day is a time to pause, reflect and appreciate the service of our military personnel. It’s also a day to honor the unique journeys they continue to navigate once they leave the uniform behind. 

For Dallas Bond, United States Air Force veteran and student at Utah State University, this journey is filled with a deep commitment to self-improvement, camaraderie and a desire to make an impact where he goes.

Bond’s story reveals the challenges, growth and sense of duty that shape veterans’ lives long after their service is complete and how he’s bringing that legacy into his academic life.

Originally from the small town of Morgantown, Indiana, Bond grew up with strong ties to the military. Family members, including veterans like his aunt and uncle, set the tone for a life of service. However, they encouraged him to choose a different path than theirs, nudging him toward the USAF for its diverse career opportunities and structured environment.

With limited options for college due to family finances, Bond saw the USAF as a practical step forward that would not only secure his future but also provide him with a wealth of experience and training.

He enlisted at age 18, and his journey took him to military bases across the country, from Texas to Montana, South Carolina to Florida and finally to Utah. Each stop brought unique experiences and life lessons that helped Bond shape his identity.

Joining the military is no small feat. Bond quickly learned that serving in the USAF requires discipline, adaptability and a willingness to overcome obstacles. 

“It was very humbling, but at the same time, it was very rewarding to kind of see where you start off to where you go,” Bond said.

The challenges were personal and professional: working alongside people from different backgrounds, dealing with the intensity of military demands and often needing to adapt on the spot. 

“Trying to get a team of people from [all over the country] … is very hard,” Bond said. Yet, it was this very challenge he found so transformative.

One of the most valuable aspects of his service was learning how to work with others, regardless of differences. As someone from the Midwest, he had to learn about other cultures and adapt to everyone’s egos. 

“So you got to just figure out how to work around those egos, how to deal with that type of stuff, to be able to get the mission done,” Bond said.

Learning to navigate these cultural differences taught Bond invaluable lessons in patience, teamwork and leadership. Whether through the military’s rigorous structure or the bonds he formed with his fellow airmen, Bond came to appreciate the nuances of collaboration under pressure.

As Bond reflected on his time in the service, he recognized how the military fundamentally shaped him. At 18, he was thrown into a world where every action has consequences and maturity was a necessity, not an option. 

“Your actions have consequences, good or bad,” Bond said. This mindset of accountability and the discipline he developed have stayed with him and now guides him through his college years.

Bond also recalled a standout memory from his time in the USAF, underscoring the importance of mentorship and leadership. During his deployment to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, he mentored a fellow service member with a passion for theology and working towards becoming a chaplain.

“He had some issues, job-wise,” Bond said. “I mentored him, guided him in the right direction, and then after that, I helped him separate from the military early to pursue a graduate level in theology.”

Years later, they still keep in touch — a reminder of the lasting impact of military friendships. 

“Seeing the impact you have on someone’s life, even during the military, and when they get out, [and they still] check up on you, is pretty cool,” Bond said.

When Bond left the military, he faced a decision many veterans encounter: what to do next. For Bond, the answer was clear — he wanted to pursue education. Encouraged by a friend in Layton and using his Veterans Affairs education benefits, he found his way to USU, a choice that allowed him to stay in the state he’d grown to love.

Utah’s natural beauty, outdoor activities and mountains for snowboarding were all appealing, but Bond was most excited to pursue his new goal in aviation. He currently majors in aviation technology and aspires to be a professional pilot.

Coming to USU at the age of 28 after completing degrees elsewhere wasn’t as seamless as he might have hoped. Bond quickly discovered generational and cultural gaps between himself and many of his classmates. 

“The conversations with younger people [are difficult]. I don’t know the lingo, and I don’t know what a lot of stuff means — and just seeing kind of the way they were raised and the way I was raised. It’s been very challenging for me,” he said.

Yet, he’s learning to embrace these differences and use them as an opportunity to bridge gaps and share his experiences with those around him.

Bond’s story is an encouraging reminder that it’s never too late for anyone considering going back to school later in life.

Bond is open about veterans’ difficulties when transitioning to civilian life, particularly in an academic setting. His advice to veterans is twofold: be resilient and use the resources available. 

Bond also recommended taking advantage of veteran-specific resources on campus, such as USU’s Veteran Resource Office, which has helped him and many other students find support and camaraderie.

He also encourages veterans to “embrace the suck,” a military phrase that translates to accepting and learning from challenging situations. For Bond, this mindset is essential, especially in college, where students are expected to be more self-directed than in the structured world of the military.

“There’s some guidance, but there’s not a lot. It’s not like the military, where you’re told to do this this way,” he said.

For veterans considering college, Bond suggested reaching out to others and staying connected with people who understand the transition.

“Get ready to have to step out of your comfort zone and kind of take accountability of who you are as a person,” Bond said.

However, Bond believes veterans can thrive in academic settings and find new opportunities with persistence and resilience.