On March 17, 2025, SAA alumnus Kirby Turner, MD, a proud graduate of The Academy’s Class of 1962, returned to share his life story, offering a heartfelt and compelling presentation to the boys. 

Kirby recounted his early years, growing up under the care of three different families, each shaping his character in unique ways. He credited The Academy as an “instrument of God” that saved his life, instilling discipline and structure that would guide him through adulthood. He recalled boarding at the school for two years due to his mother’s illness, struggling with authority, and even attempting to run away—only to be brought back by Major Bondurant, who he later recognized as a life-changing mentor.

After leaving The Academy, Kirby graduated from Robert E. Lee High School before pursuing higher education. He graduated summa cum laude from college, attended medical school in San Antonio, and completed a psychiatric residency. His career took him to the United States Air Force, where he served as a flight surgeon, completed combat tours in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the Balkans, and eventually retired as a colonel. Kirby’s experiences also led him to NASA, where he contributed to spaceflight medical operations, and to Antarctica, where he participated in extreme environmental missions.

Beyond his military and medical careers, Kirby has remained dedicated to service, working in forensic psychiatry and serving as a reserve deputy in San Antonio. His passion for aviation led him to build his own airplane, a testament to his lifelong commitment to learning and adventure.

Throughout his presentation, he emphasized life lessons: the importance of faith, discipline, and personal responsibility. He urged the boys to recognize that “decisions and behaviors always have consequences” and to prioritize God, duty, country, family, and self. His message was clear—while the past shapes us, the choices we make define who we become.

Kirby’s remarkable journey from The Academy to the Air Force and beyond serves as an inspiring testament of perseverance, purpose, and service before self.

About Alumni Mondays: Each Monday, we welcome an Academy alumnus to speak to SAA boys during chapel. During this presentation, our alumni speakers share meaningful stories and lessons from their days at SAA. View Alumni Monday Showcase