Wellner draws on lifelong influence to direct his path

Surrounded by his family, friends, teammates, coaches and community members, Cadott senior Michael Wellner made the most important commitment of his life, Aug. 29. Just prior to the big rivalry football game with Stanley-Boyd, Wellner took his Oath of Enlistment, with the Wisconsin Air National Guard. “I wanted it to be a little smaller, but it turned into something pretty big,” said Wellner. “It felt good.” Wellner is entering the military to focus on radar maintenance, with a $50,000 sign-on bonus. He wanted to go into the Air Force, because it’s the most challenging/smartest branch of the military. There, Wellner will work on the AN/TPS-75 system, which is very complex. “If you can learn that one, you can learn anything,” he said. His entire journey has led to this moment, as there is a lot of family on his dad’s side, who have served in the military. “They’ve influenced me my whole life,” said Wellner. (To the right) Michael Wellner, Cadott senior (center) was administered the Oath of Enlistment, Aug. 29, by Major Emmett Yule, with the Volk Field Air Control Squadron (second from left), to take his place in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. After pledging his life and service to his country, Wellner was joined by the entire Cadott football team, who did a breakdown with the newly signed recruit.