Chris Artac, United States Coast Guard
Pilot, REACH Air Medical
Chris Artac's journey into the U.S. Coast Guard was inspired by his father’s service and the exciting aviation missions he learned about from his father's experiences. After completing his college degree, Artac applied to Officer Candidate School and embarked on a 20-year career as a helicopter pilot, flight instructor and flight safety officer.
During his time in the Coast Guard, Artac was an instructor at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School in Astoria, Oregon, which he describes as the highlight of his career. He cherished the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the Coast Guard, Department of Defense (DOD) and foreign military aviators he trained.
After retiring from the military, Artac sought a role that would allow him to continue serving the public. He found that opportunity with REACH Air Medical, a member of the GMR family. He began his transition to a civilian career through the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, starting a SkillBridge internship in September 2024. The SkillBridge Program helps service members by providing paid internships, apprenticeships and training opportunities during their last 180 days of service. GMR is proud to be an authorized provider of the DOD SkillBridge Program, helping service members gain valuable hands-on experience and a pathway into meaningful civilian careers. He completed initial training in the EC135 during his last 90 days of active-duty service and is now a full-time pilot at REACH 18 in Willits, California.
Artac’s military experience has proven invaluable in his new role as an EMS pilot. The skills he developed in building trust and working closely with aircrew members to plan and execute emergency response missions have translated seamlessly into his civilian career.
Artac advises transitioning service members to discuss their career intentions with their supervisors and commanding officers at least one year in advance. He encourages them to be willing to negotiate separation dates and the length of SkillBridge internships to strike a balance between military unit staffing needs and personal career goals. “If you can serve an extra couple of months at your unit in exchange for several months of SkillBridge, it can be a win-win for both parties,” he concludes.
What do you miss about serving?
"I was an instructor at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School in Astoria, Oregon for three years. That was the highlight of my career because of the team I worked with and the enthusiasm of the Coast Guard, DOD and foreign military aviators we trained."
During his time in the Coast Guard, Artac was an instructor at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School in Astoria, Oregon, which he describes as the highlight of his career. He cherished the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the Coast Guard, Department of Defense (DOD) and foreign military aviators he trained.
After retiring from the military, Artac sought a role that would allow him to continue serving the public. He found that opportunity with REACH Air Medical, a member of the GMR family. He began his transition to a civilian career through the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, starting a SkillBridge internship in September 2024. The SkillBridge Program helps service members by providing paid internships, apprenticeships and training opportunities during their last 180 days of service. GMR is proud to be an authorized provider of the DOD SkillBridge Program, helping service members gain valuable hands-on experience and a pathway into meaningful civilian careers. He completed initial training in the EC135 during his last 90 days of active-duty service and is now a full-time pilot at REACH 18 in Willits, California.
Artac’s military experience has proven invaluable in his new role as an EMS pilot. The skills he developed in building trust and working closely with aircrew members to plan and execute emergency response missions have translated seamlessly into his civilian career.
Artac advises transitioning service members to discuss their career intentions with their supervisors and commanding officers at least one year in advance. He encourages them to be willing to negotiate separation dates and the length of SkillBridge internships to strike a balance between military unit staffing needs and personal career goals. “If you can serve an extra couple of months at your unit in exchange for several months of SkillBridge, it can be a win-win for both parties,” he concludes.
What do you miss about serving?
"I was an instructor at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School in Astoria, Oregon for three years. That was the highlight of my career because of the team I worked with and the enthusiasm of the Coast Guard, DOD and foreign military aviators we trained."
