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Two worlds, one way of life: former monk becomes Airman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erick Requadt
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.(AFNS) --  For most people, spending a day without their phone is an impossible feat. To spend 30 days without a phone, writing, reading, talking or even eye contact would seem unfathomable, but for Thailand Buddhist monks, this is their world.

After spending 18 years in that world as a monk, Airman 1st Class Kornkawee Rue Art, 23rd Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician, traded his robes for a uniform, in his continual pursuit of a life bigger than himself; one of meaning and purpose.

“When I first became a monk I didn’t think it would open any (professional) doors,” Rue Art said. “But the first time I heard I could join the military I saw the opportunities. I would be able to meet more people, see the world and be a part of the world’s greatest military. Even when I was a kid, I saw ads for the Air Force in Thailand, and then I saw my chance to join. I wanted to feel that experience of being a part something larger than myself, to be with the best Air Force.”

In Thailand, a monk is one who studies Buddhism, practices in its ways, follows the rules of and lives at the temple. They practice and teach meditation, along with being spiritual consultants and lead ceremonies. Common pilgrimage monks undergo missionary work, traveling across the world to bolster their faith in other countries.

During his first missionary task, journeying to the U.S., Rue Art reacquainted with an old friend who was soon enlisting into the U.S. military. Inspired by this friend, who became the first Thai Buddhist monk serving in the Air Force, Rue Art blazed his own trail by becoming the second.

“Even when I was young I wanted to join the military,” Rue Art said. “Being a monk, though, it closed my dream. I just wanted a chance, because talking with my friend it reminded me of how I used to dream about joining the military.”

Having grown up on a farm in the countryside of Thailand, dreaming of joining the Air Force, along with successfully following over 200 rules as a monk, Rue Art developed a foundation that would carry his dedication to the honor, respect and duty he would bring to the Air Force.

“This was something I felt I could do if I prepared myself,” he said. “I wanted to challenge myself and always keep growing.”

Rue Art, wanting to experience the full range of life, and exemplifying the Buddhist principle of releasing expectations, joined the Air Force with an open mind of genuine service before self.

“I think being a monk made me more flexible,” Rue Art said. “I believed in myself. Whatever job I would get, it’s something people have done and are still doing, so it’s possible that I could do it, too. Whatever (the Air Force) needed me to do, I could do that.”

Since joining the Air Force, Rue Art expressed that having to see people who aren’t always positive has put a test to his faith; but that it’s actually given him a stronger conviction in his beliefs.

“You learn how to deal with conflict (as a monk), but you never experience it,” Rue Art said. “Being at the pharmacy, I saw the realness of it all. So, when something would make me feel mad or upset, I would wonder how I’m going refresh myself every day and be ready to go to work tomorrow. But with my Buddhist beliefs I was actually able to put it into practice and see how it really does work.”

Rue Art maintains his Buddhist ways daily through meditation and keeping a calm mind in his Air Force life, serving as a cornerstone in his spiritual pillar of resiliency.

“You have to have a calm, cool, collected self to be able to get far not just in the Air Force, but in life,” said Airman 1st Class Makatelyn Maynard, 23rd MDSS pharmacy technician. “He knows how to treat other people and respect them, because he’s been respecting people the whole time he was a monk.

I know that for myself, I get worked up over a lot of things that’ll fluster me; but with Rue Art, if he does get aggravated he doesn’t let it show,” she continued. “He’ll just stop, he’ll take a breath and breathe, and then he reiterates what he’s doing and just goes right back into it. It always amazes me how he does it.”

From monk to Airman, Rue Art’s world has changed, but his way of life is still able to bring honor, not just to himself, but to his friends and family back in Thailand.

“I’m happy to be here,” Rue Art said. “When my friends in Thailand hear about me being in the Air Force, to them that’s a big deal, and it fills me with a sense of honor knowing I’m making them proud.”