There’s one moment from his time in the Air Force that Tor Munson still can’t forget as he continues rebuilding his life at the College of DuPage (COD). While stationed in Korea, a sudden rush of urgency swept through his unit, the kind of shift in atmosphere that told him something serious was happening before anyone explained it.

“Everyone was rushing rapidly and someone told me, ‘You got your phone on you?’ and I said ‘yes,’ and they told me, ‘Call your mom,’” Munson said.

Munson couldn’t contact his family, and it was unknown how long he could reach out to them again. Luckily, it was resolved before anything broke out. Before coming to COD, Munson never considered himself the ideal student; he was unsure of what direction his life was supposed to take or what future awaited him after graduation. When a Marine recruiter visited his school, the idea of military service stayed firmly in his mind. From there, the momentum built quickly. 

For a moment, he thought the Marines would be his future, and he even began the early steps toward training. But after talking it through with his dad, he realized the Air Force felt like a better fit, and he switched branches before committing. That decision marked the beginning of an eight-year contract, split between four years of active service and four years on reserve status, a period that would shape nearly every part of who he is today.

“I’ve formed some of the strongest bonds in a very long time and understood that even if I were going through rough experience, we were all in it together,” Munson said.

During his time in the Air Force, Munson served as an avionics technician, the person responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft electrical systems that keep aircraft functioning safely. Despite the strength he gained, the work came with a cost. The Air Force schedule he had lived by now affects his daily routines, his energy levels and even his punctuality as a college student.

“It does have its lasting effect. It’s one of the reasons why I struggle with my sleep and getting to class,” Munson said. “I was on the mid-shift for about a year when I was in Tucson. It’s basically working from 11 p.m. to whenever you get to go home, and that really jacks up your circadian rhythm.”

The emotional toll was equally present. Munson describes watching people reach breaking points simply because their minds could no longer process the constant pressure. It was a reminder that the military demands more than physical labor.

“It’s really interesting to see people who aren’t normally emotional having breakdowns at times because our brains have a hard time processing everything going on,” Munson said.

Munson never saw direct warfare, but that didn’t shield him from the emotional weight of military service, he said. Even at home, far from the field, he never fully relaxed. 

“Even when I was at home in my dorm, I couldn’t even fully relax because I knew at any moment I could be called in,” he said. 

As a reservist, Munson can be called at any time there is a dire need for personnel to be present, such as in times of war. With news of the National Guard’s potential presence in Chicago, some may be concerned about being called in for duty. 

“It’s definitely something I stress about sometimes, and, in fact, it’s the reason why I don’t keep up with what’s going on in the area. It’s because I don’t like thinking about it and stressing over possibilities,” Munson said.

When his service ended, Munson finally allowed himself to rest. But rest eventually led to reflection, and reflection led to movement. He realized he needed direction again, and that’s when he chose to enroll at COD and begin rebuilding a future. He is currently in his second year here at COD and is undecided about what he is getting his associate degree in, but he wants to go into some engineering field. 

“Growing up around this area and hearing what a great school COD was and that it was a great option, especially for people who wanted a restart like me,” Munson said. “It didn’t take a lot of thought. I was pretty certain that I wanted to go here.”

Outside of academics, Munson has found community at COD through the Japanese Culture Club, a group that blends his interests, cultural curiosity and love for anime. For him, it’s a space where he simply gets to be himself among people who share the same passions.

“Japanese Culture Club’s main goal is to study Japanese and help students in those classes, which I’m not currently in, but I plan to take in the future. It’s just to meet like-minded people and have fun,” Munson said. “When I met some of the people running the club and got along really well, it was just one of those places where I felt comfortable.”

One anime in particular, “One Piece,” became a lifeline during some of his toughest days in the military. After long shifts in Tucson, he’d head back to his room, exhausted and drained and watch episode after episode. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was something that helped him emotionally during the hardest times. 

“That anime is very special to me. When I was in the military, struggling in Tucson, I would go home and watch ‘One Piece’ until I had to go to work again,” Munson said. “It was a time in my life that I needed that escape, and I hesitate to call it an escape when things like ‘One Piece’ are way more important than an escape.”

As he continues his education and plans for a career in engineering, Munson holds tight to his faith. It grounds him through uncertainty, guiding him through decisions and easing the weight of stress.

“I’m Christian, so I’m just trying to put my trust in God and pray that things fall in place,” Munson said. “Faith has helped me immensely, having that trust and faith definitely takes the edge off. It’s that peace that it gives. There are moments where you need to release and think clearly.”

What he carries most from his time in the Air Force isn’t just the discipline or the technical training, it’s the people. The brotherhood. The reminder that service is about who stands beside you, not who stands above you.

“If someone is going to join, just make sure you’re doing it for yourself and your brothers and sisters,” Munson said. “Not for the higher-ups, not for the generals, not because of orders, but make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.”