Committed to Service: How One Man’s Service impacts the Future

Official Statements

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “At the Schriever Space Force Base Child Development Center you’re likely to run into plenty of friendly faces. Among the staff is David Tobin, one of two cooks at the CDC responsible for keeping approximately 150 children fed throughout the day. While growing up in Florida, Tobin was surrounded by military members throughout his family. His dad served in the Korean War and his brother served in the Vietnam War, inspiring Tobin to pursue a life of service as well.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “I had every intention of joining the military and went through the whole process and then it came down to the physical and went to MEPS and had my physical done…,” Tobin said. “One of the doctors there determined that I wasn't quite physically fit to do it.“ After going to the Military Entrance Processing Station, Tobin was deemed medically unfit to serve due to a herniated disk. While Tobin was not able to join the armed forces, that did not stop him from serving in other ways.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “From hotels to kitchens and even owning his own cafe, Tobin is no stranger to a life of hospitality and service, but his most fulfilling job yet is not only as a chef but as a mentor to the next generation of Guardians and Airmen. “I found the CDC through the government work search,” Tobin said. “By far, working for the CDC has been the most rewarding in my career and I am so appreciative to finally be part of our military service community.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “Shortly after moving to Colorado Springs, Tobin found a job as a cook for the SSFB CDC where he not only cooks for the children of military families, but also provides a firm basis for growth and development.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “I could go to a restaurant, hotel, whatever, and be able to be a cook,” Tobin said. “But to be able to come into a facility where you are teaching and nourishing children is a lot more fulfilling. My daughter is a teacher herself. So it's kind of like I know how she feels too, being able to teach those kids.” Although Tobin applied for the cook position, he finds that the most fulfilling part of the job is being a teacher and mentor to the children of the CDC.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “The children that attend the CDC are there for a better part of their day and for the majority of their week, which means a large percentage of interaction is with the staff of the CDC, including their food preparers,” said Tobin. “We have to be positive role models for these children.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “David Tobin comes to work every day because he knows what he does at the CDC makes a difference. Although he was unable to serve through the armed forces, he has found a way that allows him to teach and mentor the Guardians and Airmen of tomorrow.”

• Space Base Delta 41, November 12: “I feel like everybody should have some kind of service in their background, whether it being military or some kind of volunteer work,” Tobin said. “Everybody should, like you say, walk a mile in somebody else's shoes. That's the only way you're gonna learn.”