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Col. George Riebling, BJ '83

What do you do?
I currently serve as chief of the operations and training division for NATO's Interim Deployable Combined Air Operations Center at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Our unit provides the Alliance with the capability to deploy and execute a command and control element in support of an air component headquarters. Throughout my U.S. Air Force career, I've flown as an air battle manager on the E-3 AWACS and E-8C Joint STARS and led my squadron on two combat deployments to southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

How did you get your job?
Several months after leaving KOMU-TV, and after several job rejections, I lost out on a weekend sports anchor job in Macon, Ga. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. My father, an Air Force veteran, wanted me to attend the Air Force Academy out of high school. I wasn't interested. After the Macon rejection, he found an opportunity to re-engage me on the subject of an Air Force career. This time I listened. After a trip to the recruiter's office, selection to Officers Training School and three months in the Texas heat, I found myself with gold bars on my shoulders. Twenty-two years later and I'm still at it.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
I think the communication skills you learn at the J-School serve you well in any profession. The ability to speak clearly, concisely and comfortably in front of people - or a camera - is a skill that translates well to the military. In addition, the J-School taught me how to work against a deadline under significant stress. Of course, my perception of stress has changed a bit since my days at Mizzou.

What advice do you have for current students?
Don't give up prematurely on your journalistic dreams. Don't think that any job is "beneath you" when you graduate from J-School. The key is to get your foot in the door and then work your tail off. However, if it looks like a career in journalism isn't going to happen for you, then don't be afraid to look outside of the business. As I mentioned earlier, the skills you learn in J-School can serve you well in many professions...including the military. There are many paths to success - don't limit yourself.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
Anchoring weeknight sports at KOMU-TV and, after the show, meeting my friends for a few cold ones at The Fieldhouse (among other places). Getting hit in the chest by an errant Warren Seitz pass while shooting sideline video during an MU football game. Least favorite memory...doing the early morning "Good Morning Missouri" segments at KOMU-TV. I never was a morning person.