AFDW Capital Airman Orlando Rodriguez Published March 17, 2016 By Tech. Sgt. Matt Davis Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs Joint Base Andrews, Md. -- Orlando Rodriguez, an Air Force District of Washington Capital Airman, supports Air Force acquisition needs within the National Capital Region and across the world. He is a contract specialist with the AFDW contracting directorate. The Philadelphia, PA native joined the Air Force Reserves in 1998 and served as a crew chief on the KC-10 aircraft. Rodriguez then decided he would like to be on active duty service, so he joined ROTC while attending college. "I think what interested me in joining the military is I wanted to serve my country and see what's out there," said Rodriguez. "I wanted to get that experience." Rodriguez commissioned as an Air Force acquisitions officer in 2001. He then got the unique opportunity to become an Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agent. He supported stateside and overseas missions as a field agent and as an AFOSI detachment commander. In 2015, Rodriguez separated from the Air Force as part of the force reduction initiative. He completed his active duty career at AFOSI Headquarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico which lead to his new career at AFDW. "As a single dad of three, two boys and a girl, I decided to go back into acquisitions and during my research, I came across a position as a contract specialist intern at AFDW," said Rodriguez. After he was accepted as an intern, Rodriguez has been a part of the AFDW team for seven months working with the contracting directorate. He works with the headquarters enterprise division supporting Headquarters Air Force. Rodriguez's work with AFDW is critical to the Air Force's worldwide mission. "I have learned a lot since I've been here. I've been given more responsibilities, and I think having a military background has softened that steep learning curve," said Rodriguez. "It's great to be here, to learn a new career, and to start a new chapter in my life." Air Force District of Washington Capital Airmen have made a difference in their units by their outstanding performance. Capital Airmen, selected by AFDW leaders, epitomize the pride, teamwork, and success that drive the AFDW mission.