By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs

Travis Reep did not want to join the Navy. After all, his father had spent 30 years in it - he wanted something different for his life. So he tried college - and was miserable.

Eventually Reep took his father's advice and enlisted as an air crewman. Today he tests a multi-mode radar system for the H-60R - part of a four-pronged evaluation program going on now for the helicopter at the Rotary Wing Test Squadron at NAVAIR Patuxent River.

"Every kind of helicopter and every upgrade used by the Navy or Marine Corps is tested here first," said Reep, AW1(AW), Rotary Wing. "We make sure all the components work, and then we make sure it is safe to fly."

Reep admits that first unsuccessful venture - college - was pivotal in bringing him to his present position testing helicopters for the Navy. And now that same position is opening up a new opportunity for an education at a local public liberal arts college.

Reep applied to a special co-op program for military members sponsored by St. Mary's College and was one of two students accepted to the computer science program. His full-time schedule of classes began in January.

Receiving this scholarship is helping Reep move another step closer to his goal of applying for an officer's commission and continuing his career as an officer in the Navy. "I love what I'm doing and I'm excited about the future of naval aviation."

He's come full circle.

But Reep will be the first to acknowledge that some of life's most important lessons are not learned in the classroom.

Reep says his first impression when coming to NAVAIR was, "Where are all the military personnel?" He spent his first six months going through the culture shock of working among so many civilians in such a big operation - without the frantic pace of the fleet.

"I was used to the fleet," Reep said, "where flying can't stop because of rain - but here it does - and for good reason. I had to learn to work within the confines of safety constraints in a test environment."

"It may be slow, but it's necessarily so," he said. "I've come to value methodical testing." Safety is the critical element, Reep says, when testing the "edge of the envelope."

Reep spent his first six months in awe and feeling very insignificant at NAVAIR, before he began to realize that he could make a difference.

"I started out thinking the process of upgrading an aircraft within such a bureaucracy would never work," he said. "Now I realize the reasons for the process and have the satisfaction that I've been able to contribute to the whole Navy."

For example, Reep thought the radar key set (the key board buttons that take a radar operator to different computer menus) was too slow and cumbersome. His input helped to simplify the key set from five to two layers.

"I've gained a knowledge of the systems I use, and a better understanding of where the upgrades to the aircraft come from and how they get here," said Reep, adding his attitude about NAVAIR has changed completely.

"I've been enlightened by the process," he said. "On the fleet we are shielded from all the red tape, but here I've seen the Pentagon briefings; the ideas introduced by the Program Office; the engineers designing the test programs; which are then implemented by us. It's been an education that has helped me."

"When I go back to the fleet," Reep continued, "I'll have a better understanding of the blood, sweat and tears that go into a program. I'll be able to educate my fellow sailors that, although it is a slow and sometimes painful process, it is the only way to ensure the kind of quality product we depend on."

He's come full circle.

Photo by Vicky Falcón, NAVAIR Public Affairs. For a higher resolution, please call 301-757-5116.

Caption: Travis Reep, AW-1, sits behind the onboard computer of the H-60R. Reep tests multi-mode radar systems as part of ongoing evaluations for the helicopter.