in Fort Benning, GA.
My name is Jared Thomas, the son of CW3 Jason Thomas, who was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC. I have many memories from the time spent with my dad, including hiking in the woods, hanging out at the lake, or throwing the football in the yard. I also remember his many deployments and the way he worked hard to balance his demanding career with family time. Most of all, I remember his strong leadership, both at home and with those he served alongside. After his passing, many of those he worked with spoke very highly of him, sharing stories that highlighted his selflessness and leadership. Those stories have stayed with me and helped shape who I am today.
I always thought airplanes were really cool as a kid, but I didn’t fly on one until I was 15 years old. That experience always stuck with me, and becoming a commercial airline pilot was a top career choice when I graduated from high school.
As I did more research, the high cost of flight training, low starting pay, and long upgrade times in the aviation industry at the time led me to briefly pursue other options. After high school, I joined the Alabama Army National Guard as a Parachute Rigger for 20th Group Support Battalion in Birmingham, AL. Spending a lot of time around military aircraft only further pushed me to pursue a career as an airline pilot, despite the barriers. In 2017, I enrolled in Auburn University’s Professional Flight program, where I would begin working towards a bachelor’s degree and the flight certifications needed to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.
My father passed away in 2018 right as I was nearing the completion of my Private Pilot certificate. After some time off, I returned and finished my Private, Instrument, and Commercial Multi-Engine certificates and graduated in the Spring of 2021. Immediately after graduation, I obtained my Flight Instructor certification and then returned to Auburn University as a Flight Instructor in the same program I had graduated from. After a year of teaching, I joined Endeavor Air (a wholly-owned regional subsidiary of Delta Air Lines) as a First Officer flying the CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 aircraft. In April of 2024, I achieved my dream: I was hired by Delta Air Lines as a First Officer, flying the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767.
Over the past five years, I’ve flown to 14 countries across 4 continents and 42 U.S. states/territories. I love visiting new places on a random Tuesday and experiencing the different people and cultures around the world. I couldn’t ask for a better career, and none of this would have been possible without the support of SOWF.
SOWF stepped in immediately after my father passed to remove all barriers to me pursuing my dream. They provided financial assistance by paying all of my existing student loans in full, and then all further tuition, books, and more. They provided me with access to career coaching services that included resume reviews, interview preparation, and overall personal branding strategies. These were invaluable as I pursued a college internship and later, a career with Delta Air Lines.
Beyond the financial and career support, what really stood out was the ongoing support from my SOWF advocate, Lisa B.
She provided regular check-ins, ensuring I was on the right path academically and personally. I want to sincerely thank every donor and sponsor who makes this support possible. Your generosity not only removed all of the obstacles allowing me to chase my dreams but has honored my father’s service by investing in my future and the many others like me who’ve lost a parent in the Special Operations community.
