 
Re-enlisting with the Longhorns
March 12, 2009 Zach Barnett, Texas Media Relations
After entering the Air Force in March of 2003, Hagemann, who serves as a Security Forces member, had reached the end of his six-year contract and reached the decision to re-enlist for another six years. This is where Hagemann's wife, Danielle, comes in. Unbeknownst to him, Danielle had arranged for Justin's re-enlistment to take place after a recent Longhorns spring practice. "When we were first talking about his re-enlistment, everybody was telling stories about how they did their re-enlistment somewhere special," Danielle said. "So, I was like, `The worst they can say is no.' I just looked up Mack Brown on the Website and sent him an e-mail to see what they would say." When the news came in that the re-enlistment could be performed at a practice, it was almost too good to be true. "I could hardly contain myself I was so excited," Danielle beamed. "I ran to his office and told him, and he didn't believe me." "I said don't joke with me like that," explained Justin, on when he got the news. However, that wasn't the only surprise. Danielle had also arranged for Major Alan Fiel and Colonel Scott Lockard, who had previously served as Hagemann's commanders at the Little Rock Air Force Base, to conduct the proceedings. "Of course, I jumped at the chance because that's quite an honor anytime that a senior officer is asked to re-enlist somebody," said Lockard, who now lives in San Antonio. "It was a dream come true to spend this kind of time and meet this group of people." This opportunity was so special for Hagemann, a San Antonio native, because, like many other military members, he uses Texas football to connect with home and to build bonds with his fellow airmen. "I've been a Longhorn fan since I was knee-high," Hagemann explained. "Everybody and anybody who knows me knows I'm a Longhorn fan, through and through. I bleed Texas orange." "He grew up watching Texas football, so it's a big deal to him," Lockard added. "All through the years, he's continued to keep track of the team." Keeping track of the team, however, takes a great deal of effort for any military member stationed overseas.
"Sometimes, I have to work on Saturdays, so any games that I don't watch, they definitely get (recorded) and as soon as I get home I sit down and watch them," said Hagemann. "If I can't watch them, I'm on MackBrown-TexasFootball or ESPN checking the scores. I'm keeping up with the team at all times." Being overseas has not diminished his love for the Longhorns, however. "I stayed in a little 8x8 wooden hut when I was in Afghanistan," explained Hagemann. "My stepfather sent me packages monthly with something Texas in it. By the time my eight months ended in Afghanistan, my entire room looked like a little kid's bedroom. It was just smothered with Texas stuff." For Hagemann and other military members like him, following a sports team is a critical morale booster that allows them to escape for three hours every weekend in the fall. "Being able to just track your team as a service member when you're stationed overseas is what helps keep you going," Hagemann said. "It helps keep your mind clear and keeps you focused because you're not constantly worrying about if something bad is going to happen." "Whether he's in Iraq, whether he's at home in Little Rock, it brings him back home," added Lockard, a 26-year Air Force veteran. "To have that stability gives you something to hold on to. This helps us bring us back to the people that we love and the things that are important to us and why we do what we do." When recalling his favorite memory as a Texas fan since he joined the Air Force, like many Texas fans, he thought of the Longhorns' win at the 2006 Rose Bowl. "I was stationed in RAF Mildenhall in England," Hagemann recalled. "Due to the time change, it meant I would have to watch the game later in the evening, like 3:00 in the morning. I had to go to work at 7 (a.m.). I watched the entire game live. I suffered through the day with several Mountain Dews and cups of coffee to watch my team win the National Championship." "He was screaming at the TV and hitting the couch when something would happen," Danielle recalled. "I could hear him yelling at the TV." All these factors combined to make Saturday such a special day for Hagemann. After the practice concluded and fans and media had exited the practice bubble, Hagemann, Colonel Lockard, Major Fiel and Mack Brown stood in front of the team to officially re-enlist Justin into the United States Air Force. "Thank you for making this day amazing for my husband," said Danielle when asked what she would say to Mack Brown given the chance. "It's an honor." Coach Brown, however, saw the re-enlistment as a chance to enrich his football team. "We like to have people who have been successful and are taking on challenges come and talk to our team, and Justin's a young man who's obviously done both," Brown explained. "He's been successful in the Air Force, but he wants the challenge of going back, and at a time when we are at war with terrorists, he wants to step up and be there. I thought it sent a great message to our guys that sometimes we gripe about getting up for a 6:00 in the morning workout and here he is. He's working out full time, but he's doing it during a war." While the ceremony lasted less than a minute, the memory will last a lifetime. "It was awesome," Hagemann said as he did his best to summarize the day's events. "Words can't describe it."
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