California: In a rare feat, Indian American Jaydevsinh Ghanshyamsinh Zala became a graduate of the US Air Force Academy. Zala said that while growing up, his parents, father Ghanshyamsinh Zala and mother Gaytriba Zala, would take him and his sister Savitri to their ancestral village in Saurashtra almost every year. It was there that he developed a deep appreciation for his heritage and culture that would later bring him a closer connection to his faith.
He credits his gurus Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj for guiding him throughout the most challenging moments at the academy, and appreciated his parents for nudging him closer to his roots and faith. On May 22, Zala and his fellow classmates were commissioned second lieutenants in the US Air Force. During his time at the academy, Zala served as a squadron commander, and was in charge of more than 100 cadets for all four years. “Being a squadron commander was the most difficult and rewarding position I held during my cadet career,” he said.
As squadron commander, he was responsible for the health, morale and welfare of the squadron, among other things. He was in charge of establishing squadron goals, processes, policies and mechanisms to achieve success, and mentored other cadets. Additionally, Zala was a Basic Cadet Training element leader where he was in charge of about 30 basic cadets during basic training. In addition to his leadership roles during his time at the academy, the Indian American served as part of the Cadet Interfaith Council, a club made up of cadet representatives from each religious following on campus, since his freshman year.
Recently, Zala was honored with the Religious Respect Award from the council, which he recently served a term as its vice president. Zala’s immediate goal is to graduate from the Undergraduate Pilot Training at the top of his class and eventually fly the F-22 and F-35. Over the long term, he hopes to achieve Sthitpragna, or an equilibrium and balance in all aspects of life.
