It took only four years for Johnston City High School graduate Zack Bernico to reach his goal.
"I always knew that I wanted to be an air traffic controller," said Bernico, a 2014 graduate of JCHS.
Bernico, a Petty Officer 2nd Class, is serving in the U.S. Navy, working with NAS Fallon Air Traffic Control Operations Department stationed aboard Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.
A Navy air traffic controller is responsible for coordinating safe aircraft movements on the ground and in the air.
"The Navy was a logical choice for me," said Berico. "It has allowed me to pursue my passion."
That "passion" is taking Bernico to join the best of the best in Nevada's high desert, where he will be a TOPGUN instructor.
TOPGUN began nearly a half century ago with a lot of governmental skepticism and almost no budget. It is credited with turning the tide of a losing air war in Vietnam. TOPGUN has revolutionized military doctrine, trained the best allied pilots and aircrew from all over the world, and even inspired a Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise.
According to Navy officials, TOPGUN is highly competitive and exposes Navy and Marine Corp pilots to the most demanding training scenarios in fighter aviation lead by some of the most talented pilots in the world. Each pilot is hand-selected for air-to-air and air-to-ground training and subsequently, as a TOPGUN instructor.
Bernico's success comes as no surprise to his former educators.
"I never doubted Zack would reach his goals," said Danielle Barter, former teacher and principal at JCHS. "He didn't let frustrations get in his way. He used setbacks as springboards instead of excuses."
Barter said Zack understood something that many don't. "Instead of just wanting, he worked to reach his goals," she said. "Not everyone understands you have to work."
Math teacher Trevor Clark remembers Bernico as "a pretty sharp kid" who stood out in the classroom.
"He was also very musical," said Clark. "Most kids that are in music are intelligent. They're good students."
JCHS bowling team coach Laura Roach remembers Zack as being fun.
"He went with us to 'Wicked' in Nashville," said Roach. After the show, Roach took the group of students to a popular local restaurant that offers insults to the guests. "He gave it right back to them," she said, laughing. "He was the life of the party."
Military service has been a tradition in Bernico's family.
"My grandfather served in the Army," said Bernico. "I'm also proud to have obtained facility watch supervisor qualifications, which the highest qualification we can receive.
The future of U.S. aviation depends on the Navy's ability to achieve its vision for defeating tomorrow's air threats with the support of the ground crews and pilots.
"Serving the Navy gives me the opportunity to experience new places while creating lasting memories," said Bernico.
