Born on a farm in rural Cumming Iowa Mike was mesmerized every time a fighter jet flew overhead departing or arriving at the Des Moines airport where the 124th Fighter Squadron/132nd Fighter Wing was located. Hanging out at the observation area of the airport was a common occurrence to watch the jet take off and land. However, his other passion was to become a medical doctor, and he pursued this at Creighton University where he applied to their medical school upon graduation. Being selected as one of 10 alternates for the next year's medical school class of 110 seats which unfortunately (or fortunately) didn't open up, he was asked to complete one year of graduate school and reapply the following year. However, life threw Mike a curve ball as he discovered that there was a way to join the US Air Force to become a fighter pilot. A decision that changed his life forever.