SSgt Joseph Orellana was born in Southern California where he lived all his life until he joined the military. Rancho Cucamonga is where he calls home, having lived there most of his life.

He graduated from Apple Valley High School and attended the local college for a short time. With the “college scene” boring him, he decided to join the military.

In 2001, he enlisted into the Air Force as a special purpose vehicle and equipment maintainer. Wanting to stay close to home, he put all west coast bases on his dream sheet. The military was happy to oblige. His first assignment was Sembach Annex, Germany. He wasn’t too pleased, but did what he was told. He married his high school sweet heart before leaving. While there, they had their first child, Victoria. Three years later, he had orders to his number two assignment on his dream sheet, McChord AFB, Wa. Again, he wasn’t pleased. The military forced him overseas and when it was time to go, he did not want to leave. While at McChord, they had their second child, Derrick. He also realized that being a mechanic wasn’t for him. He decided to cross-train to radio and television broadcasting. Two years at Nellis AFB, Nv (#3 on his dream sheet) went by quickly, and now he is at SHAPE, Belgium (#2 on his overseas dream sheet). He is learning as much as he can about his job and is looking forward to which assignment off his dream sheet the Air Force will send him to next.