Meet Joe Felinski, U.S. Air Force — 2021 Veteran
Joe Felinski was born in Louisville, Kentucky. During his senior year of high school, Joe enlisted in the Kentucky Air National Guard and began attending drill weekends immediately. After graduating high school, Joe went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and then Aircraft Maintenance training at Shepperd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. After the completion of training, Joe was assigned to the 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where he spent 12 years serving.
Immediately following the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001, Joe and his unit were activated on federal orders. During the one-year activation, Joe and his unit carried out numerous missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.
In July of 2003, Joe was deployed to Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his three-month deployment, Joe logged numerous hours as a Mission Essential Ground Personnel (flying crew chief). Those flying missions were carried out throughout much of Europe as well as several locations in Africa.
After a short time home, Joe volunteered for a short deployment in October of 2003, which took him to Qatar. During that deployment, Joe and his unit ensured aircraft readiness for the successful completion of numerous sorties in and out of Iraq and surrounding areas. After returning home, Joe continued to stay on orders and maintained his MEGP status, which allowed him the opportunity to be a part of numerous missions throughout the United States, which included Presidential support missions.
In 2007, Joe married his wife and then, just a few months later, he deployed to Afghanistan in August. While in Afghanistan, Joe and his unit, once again, were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Joe was soon notified his deployment was going to be cut short and was sent home after just a few weeks in country.
After coming home from Afghanistan, Joe applied for and was hired by the Lexington Police Department in Lexington, Kentucky. In December 2007, Joe started the Police Academy and graduated in August 2008. By December 2008, Joe had finished his field training and was released to solo patrol. Joe's career only lasted nine years before he was taken off patrol and placed on modified duty due to back and nerve pain. While on modified duty, Joe underwent physical therapy which offered some relief but was not enough. Joe's doctor placed him on permanent restriction which forced him into early retirement. In December 2016, Joe retired from the Lexington Police Department on a work-related disability.
In early 2018, Joe began feeling lost and without purpose. Joe began experiencing anxiety when he was in crowded areas and generally around people. Unfortunately, Joe kept these feelings from his family to keep them from worrying about him. Joe would experience anxiety attacks anytime there were unexpected loud noises or if he became startled. In late 2019, Joe realized he could not fight this battle alone and needed to seek help. In early 2020, Joe began seeking counseling and was diagnosed with PTSD due to experiences while in Afghanistan.
Joe now resides in Georgetown, Kentucky with his wife Renee and his daughter Emily.
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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors
