Andrew Kemp
Integrity and consistency build respect. Norwich drilled that into me, and it’s something I try to pass on.
“I Will Try”: Major Andrew Kemp’s Journey of Service, Leadership, and Lifelong Learning
Rooted in Vermont and strengthened by Norwich University’s values, Major Andrew Kemp continues to live a life built on service, humility, and the pursuit of knowledge as he works toward his Master of Arts in Museum Administration.
When Major Andrew James Kemp looks back, everything starts in Vermont. He grew up in Williamstown and later moved to Northfield, just a few miles from Norwich University. The cadence of campus life was always nearby. The cannon at sunrise, the shouts during Rook Week, and the crowd noise from Kreitzberg Arena were part of his everyday world.
“I grew up going to Norwich hockey games with my dad,” Kemp said. “We could hear the cannon every morning. It was part of our community.”
Service was already part of his family’s story. His grandfather worked in Air Force maintenance, and his father was a pilot who later became a pastor. When it came time for college, his father, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, pointed him toward Norwich.
“He told me, ‘You love being outside. You’ve always been that kid building forts and hiking in the woods. Norwich will fit you better,’” Kemp said. “He was right.”
At Norwich, Kemp joined the Mountain Cold Weather Company and eventually became a Black Hat instructor. He also trained in an Air Force special operations preparation program for candidates pursuing elite fields. When the time came to decide between special operations and aircraft maintenance, he chose maintenance.
“I don’t regret it,” he said. “I love maintenance. It’s hands-on, technical, and it connects you directly to the mission.”
Building a Career in Service
After commissioning, Kemp trained at Sheppard Air Force Base before heading to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. He spent four years there, including a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, leading ninety maintainers and eight C-130J aircraft in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
“It was an incredible experience,” he said. “I had great people under my command who made things happen every day.”
When he returned to the United States, Kemp joined the Air Force Reserve at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. He found that the Reserve lifestyle offered the best of both worlds: continued service to the Air Force and the freedom to explore civilian opportunities.
One of those opportunities was law enforcement. Kemp had always wanted to wear a badge, so he joined the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. For two and a half years, he worked patrol shifts and responded to every type of call imaginable.
“I’d always wanted to serve my community,” he said. “It was tough work, but it taught me a lot about people, communication, and staying calm when things get chaotic.”
In time, he realized where his heart still belonged. “I missed the Air Force,” he said. “I missed the camaraderie and the sense of mission.”
Today, Kemp is back in uniform at the U.S. Air Force Academy, supporting logistics and operations for cadet training programs. “I love working with cadets,” he said. “Watching them grow into confident officers reminds me why I joined in the first place.”
A New Chapter in History and Education
As an undergraduate at Norwich, Kemp started in geology, switched to criminal justice, and finally landed in political science. “Norwich eventually told me I had to stop switching,” he said, laughing. “Political science ended up being the perfect fit.”
Guided by Professor Cynthia Newton, he dove into courses on government and conflict. “I studied why nations go to war,” he said. “It fascinated me, understanding what drives conflict through history.”
That same curiosity resurfaced years later when he decided to enroll in Norwich’s online Master of Arts in Museum Administration. “I want to work in a museum, preferably one focused on military history,” he said. “I want to help people see what the past can teach us.”
He is now completing his capstone internship at the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, a sprawling complex of hangars filled with restored warbirds. “It’s an amazing place,” Kemp said. “Every aircraft tells a story. I’m learning how a museum runs, from grant writing to exhibit planning. It’s exciting.”
His long-term goal is to work with a national institution such as the Smithsonian or the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. “That would be the dream,” he said. “But right now, I’m focused on learning everything I can.”
Norwich Roots at the Air Force Academy
Kemp’s Norwich background often sparks conversations with the cadets he mentors. “Most assume that every officer here is a USAFA grad,” he said. “They’re surprised when I tell them about Norwich. A few say they even considered it before choosing the Academy.”
He sees clear connections between the two schools. “The academics here are intense, but Norwich is physically tougher,” he said. “Those early mornings in the snow, the formations, the training programs, they teach you how to push through.”
While researching Norwich’s history, Kemp uncovered an unexpected tie between his alma mater and the Air Force Academy. “The library here is named after Brigadier General Robert McDermott,” he explained. “He went to Norwich before transferring to West Point and later became the first permanent Dean of Faculty here. Norwich’s influence runs deeper than most realize.”
Family, Balance, and Perspective
Over the years, Kemp has juggled active duty, reserve service, law enforcement, and graduate school. When asked how he manages it all, he grinned.
“Lots of not sleeping,” he joked. Then he added “I have a very, very supportive wife. She’s stood by me through every challenge and every transition. I couldn’t have done any of it without her.”
He and his wife are raising four daughters and have learned how to work as a team. “When your family life is strong, the rest falls into place,” he said. “That’s been our secret.”
The same philosophy shapes how he leads. As a maintenance officer, Kemp sometimes had to make unpopular decisions. “Leadership isn’t about being liked,” he said. “It’s about doing what’s right for your people and the mission.”
At the Academy, he often repeats that lesson to cadets. “Integrity and consistency build respect,” he said. “Norwich drilled that into me, and it’s something I try to pass on.”
The Meaning of “I Will Try”
For Kemp, Norwich’s motto is more than a phrase on a crest. “As cadets, we joked about it,” he said. “But in real life, when things get hard, it becomes a promise. You keep trying. You don’t quit.”
That mindset has carried him through deployments, long shifts, and every new challenge. “Whenever things start falling apart, I hear that Norwich voice in my head saying, ‘You’re not allowed to quit.’”
He believes character and trust matter more than talent. “I’d rather have someone loyal and dependable than someone brilliant who can’t be trusted,” he said. “Norwich taught me that you can teach skills, but you can’t teach integrity.”
His message to cadets is simple. “Find solutions, stay loyal, and never stop trying.”
Pride in Tradition and Looking Ahead
Even with a packed schedule, Kemp still takes pride in staying connected to Norwich. “I need to be better about attending alumni events,” he admitted. “But whenever I catch up with my classmates, we laugh about the hard days in the Corps. We remember freezing mornings, long marches, and late nights. And we’re proud of it.”
He is already introducing Norwich to the next generation. “My oldest daughter talks about the Air Force Academy,” he said. “I support that completely. But I keep reminding her that Norwich is a great option too. It would be amazing to have one of them carry that legacy forward.”
Looking ahead, Kemp hopes to continue mentoring cadets while finishing his master’s degree. His long-term plan is to move into museum administration full time.
“I want to help preserve military history and make it accessible,” he said. “History teaches perspective. It shows us who we are and where we might be headed.”
When asked about his legacy, Kemp paused. “I hope to help the next generation be better than we were,” he said. “Better leaders, better mentors, better teammates. If I can do that, then I’ve done my job.”
Reflection
Major Andrew Kemp’s story reflects the heart of Norwich University’s mission. His life shows what persistence, humility, and purpose can achieve. Whether leading maintainers on the flight line, patrolling his community, or mentoring cadets at the Air Force Academy, Kemp continues to live the words I Will Try.
“You learn to never quit,” he said. “You figure things out. That’s what Norwich taught me, and I carry it every day.”
