General re-enlists Reservist Published March 22, 2010 By Maj. Shannon Mann 916th Public Affairs Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- It isn't every day that you see an active duty two-star general re-enlist a master sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, but in late February that is exactly what happened here at the 916th Air Refueling Wing. Maj. Gen. William Holland, commander of the 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. gave the oath of enlistment to Master Sgt. Steve Hawley, a Reservist with the 916th Maintenance Squadron. The two knew each other from their days as children growing up in Nahunta community and going to school together. "We played baseball when we young," said Sergeant Hawley. "My dad was the coach a lot of those years for us." The boys had the same goals, just slightly different paths to get there. After graduating high school in 1971, Sergeant Hawley entered the Air Force in July 1972. The general went to East Carolina University and later attended officer school. The childhood bonds lasted through the decades and it just made sense for the general, a close friend, to give the oath of re-enlistment. While the two have stayed in touch they have yet to see each other at a class reunion. "When they have had one we've always been deployed or gone for work." Sergeant Hawley said. "We said as soon as we retire we're going to go to one and see folks we haven't seen in years." Sergeant Hawley might have awhile before this goal happens for him seeing as he just re-enlisted, but the general is scheduled to retire this December.