Family chooses Wright-Patt for first post-retirement move

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  For the first time in 24 years, the Air Force wouldn't be telling the newly retired Tom Rice where to move next.

This decision would be up solely to him and this family.

There were a number of opportunities. Some were close to his present home in San Antonio; others were halfway across the country. Several were in locations Mr. Rice said he might have found more appealing if he didn't have children at home. But with three still in school, a good place to raise a family would be a prime concern.

After weighing the options, he decided to take a position with the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

"We really wanted a place our kids could call home," Mr. Rice said. "Someplace they could really feel connected to."

Originally from the Midwest themselves, the Rices had been at Wright-Patt from 1997 to 2000 and knew what the area was like. They had lived then in a neighborhood in Huber Heights and thought they had been lucky with especially friendly neighbors. Now living in Springboro, they feel it's just a trait of the region.

"I think this part of Ohio is just very friendly," said Mr. Rice. "I don't quite know how to explain it other than they are products of the heartland of America, the proverbial salt of the earth."

Quality of life from a personality aspect was a positive check in favor of Wright-Patt, but there is a monetary side to quality as well. "Many of the jobs I was offered paid less than I was accustomed to earning on active duty. I saw having to add my retirement to my new salary just to equal my old one as taking a real step backward," he said. "I found the right job at the right salary at the 711th Human Performance Wing."

Compared to some other locations, Ohio seems to have a higher tax burden especially when compared to places without a state income tax.

"We realized it comes down to services basically. Some places raise money for services through property taxes and others use an income tax," said Mr. Rice. "The real question is whether you are getting your money's worth in terms of those services. In our estimation, getting a good education, safe environment and feeling connected to school and town was a fair tradeoff."

From a profession standpoint, it was kind of a no-brainer. During their previous stay here, Mrs. Rice worked at a medical practice that she considered her favorite job ever.

"She had kept in contact over the years with the people there and they used to kid her about when she would come back," Mr. Rice said. "When we made the decision, they welcomed her back eagerly. They had even kept her shingle all these years and just hung it back up."

The opportunity to work at the 711th HPW offered Mr. Rice the chance to work with a couple of people he knew well.

"I looked forward to working with folks like Major General select Kim Siniscalchi and Colonel David Worth," Mr. Rice said. "I have a great deal of respect for them, and combined with the challenging work here, I knew this would be the right position for me."

Job aside though; this was a "family-first" decision for the Rice family.

"It's just a family friendly place to live," Mr. Rice said.