As a student at The University of Texas at Austin, Taylor Anderson Hale joined Texas Wranglers in
the Spring of 2010, followed a few years later by his graduation in the Spring of
2013 with an International Relations major and Spanish minor. As well as being
a Texas Wrangler, Taylor was a member of the University Air Force ROTC.
In both organizations, Taylor showed
leadership and determination from Day 1. Within his Maverick class, his brothers
called him a motivator and frequently looked to him as role model in all aspects of the program including; workouts, service, and academics. Taylor was always one to push his Maverick brothers to
reach their full potential - earning him the Jimmy Green award for excellence
during the Maverick semester. As an active Wrangler, Taylor made an impact
through various officer positions, one of them being Secretary. As Secretary Taylor never failed to keep the meeting room in continuous
laughter from his always-entertaining slideshows. In all roles he held, his knack for organization and leadership allowed him to keep the active Wranglers focused and determined throughout each semester.
Today, Taylor is serving our
country in The United States Air Force, as an Officer in the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). TACP is
one of three elite special operations groups within the Air Force. His responsibilities
include commanding and controlling air assets from the ground and advising the
Army ground commanders on which air assets should be used on specific missions.
Taylor explains, "The biggest asset we bring to the battlefield is being
able to be attached to any unit and establish communications for air support
for that team."
When asked how his time in the Texas Wranglers has impacted
his training and experience with the Air Force, Taylor replied, "A significant amount. I was the team lead
for our platoon from day one and I made a team message board for the guys to
put important info up on." On that board he wrote at the top: 'Willingness to strive, to persevere and to be the best that I can', along with other
lines that are represented in the Texas Wranglers creed.
"Wranglers has a much stronger
bond and purpose than you ever realize while you're at UT. I have been able to
apply so many lessons I learned from not just the Maverick semester, but from
what it means to be a Wrangler after you earn that black and gold and the
responsibility that comes with that. Once you earn your beret here, it's on you
to decide how good of a TACP Officer you want to be."
Always humble, Taylor mentioned, "I've
got an opportunity to have a huge impact on the battlefield and I'm thankful to
have a brotherhood like Wranglers to back me up."
