Beyond the Uniform: An Air Force Veteran’s Mission to Serve Again, Now Through the USO

For service members walking into the USO Wright-Patterson AFB Center after a long day, the familiar comforts of the Center are a welcome relief – but it’s the volunteers who truly make the space feel like home. Among them is a veteran with a steady presence and the ability to make every service member feel seen. He knows what it’s like to be in their boots, to crave a moment of normalcy in the middle of it all. And with every meal he serves and every conversation he starts, he offers exactly that – a small but meaningful reminder that they’re not in this alone.

USO Volunteer John “JD” McKaye’s service didn’t stop when he hung up his U.S. Air Force uniform for the final time a few years ago. After serving 33 years as an airman, JD found a new way to give back – this time, through the USO. For this veteran, volunteering with the USO isn’t just about giving back – it’s about serving his country in a new way.

During his time in the Air Force, JD completed six deployments, including assignments in Kuwait and Iraq, as well as several overseas contingency operations including operations Southern Watch, Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy, Joint Forge, Desert Fox I, Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. And the USO became a lifeline during many of these deployments – whether through a warm meal, quick conversation or just a moment to breathe, those smalls acts helped carry him through his years of service.

“[During] the deployments, we would get packages from the USO, various gifts and equipment and things of that nature like backpacks and food,” JD said. “And then, traveling in domestic airports, there were always USOs, and I’d always stop by there and take advantage of the opportunity just to relax and watch TV. There’s always good books and snacks and things there. So, when I retired as a veteran, I wanted to give back and support those that support the active-duty military and Guard and Reserve.”

Now, JD stands on the other side of the table, serving those who are walking the same path he once did. Every volunteer shift, conversation and story he shares feels like a quiet thank-you to the place that once kept his spirits high, as well as a way to lift up the next generation of service members.

“When I retired as a veteran now, I wanted to give back and support those that support the active-duty military and Guard and Reserve,” JD shared.

And JD does just that at the USO Wright-Patterson AFB Center, which was also the Center he frequented during his time at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, when he was a wing commander of the 655th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Wing.

“We used the [USO] there on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for different get-togethers, squadron get-togethers or group get-togethers, things of that nature. And every year, we’d have our chili cook-off there and other events.”

At the USO Center, JD’s shift starts like clockwork – setting up, organizing supplies and making sure everything is ready for the stream of service members who will come through. He takes pride in every task he does at the USO, but the moments he values most are the ones that allow him to connect directly with service members. Because for him, it’s never just about the tasks, it’s about the people. As service members pass through, he greets them and offers a listening ear. After all, he’s been in their boots before, and now, he’s there as a volunteer, making sure they feel a little less far from home.

“I prefer working the cafe and handing out sandwiches and chips and things and snacks to all the veterans. It gives me an opportunity to talk to them … So, when they’re getting their food, while they’re heating up their sandwich, then we will start conversations and discuss their careers, and they ask about my career and things of that nature.”

Volunteers like JD who also served in the military play a crucial role in bridging the gap between generations of service members. By acknowledging the challenges that young service members face today, including ever-evolving missions and heightened expectations, seasoned veterans can provide a sense of continuity and stability. These moments of connections are vital, especially during times when they may be yearning for connection the most.

JD’s guidance isn’t just about offering wisdom – it’s about helping the next generation feel grounded and less alone on their journey.

“The thing that I take from it is just interacting with the younger generation. I have an opportunity to talk to them, share my experiences of being deployed and what I did. And they really like that and they tell me what’s happening in the Air Force now,” JD said. “So, that’s really the coolest part, because we kind of speak the same language.”

And while JD’s days in uniform may be over, his sense of duty remains. By showing up and giving back to young airmen through the USO, he reminds them that they’re not walking their journey alone. For him, this opportunity to guide and support the next generation of airmen is a deeply rewarding continuation of his mission – and of the USO’s.