When William Kale III joined the U.S. Air Force almost three decades ago, he never could have imagined that by the time he retired he would rise in the ranks to the level of brigadier general.
Kale, who was born and raised in Ewing Township, began his military career in ROTC training as a young adult after his father encouraged him to “give it a try.” This step set in motion a remarkable career of service and dedication to the country.
Kale’s journey from ROTC cadet to a high-ranking officer marks his commitment to the service. Not only that, during his career he won awards for his service and worked alongside Congress as a Legislative Fellow.
Now after many years of service, Kale has decided it is time to leave the military and enter civilian life.
Kale’s service culminated in 2020 when he was promoted to brigadier general, which is the 23rd rank in the USAF, ranking above colonel and directly below major general.
In 2022, he was named commander of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center in Lackland, Texas, overseeing various aspects of military construction, environmental restoration, and training programs. According to the USAF website, the AFCEC is a 1,900-person unit responsible for providing full-spectrum installation engineering services.
As commander of AFCEC, he was responsible for a broad array of essential functions. These included managing housing projects, military construction efforts and ensuring the readiness of combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal units.
Under his leadership, AFCEC handled billions of dollars in construction projects and implemented improvements in housing programs, further enhancing the living conditions and operational readiness of Air Force personnel.
Although much of his later career was spent within in the United States, Kale said that some of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences he faced were in the field.
During his 29-year military career, Kale was deployed to 20 different countries supporting six named operations. In addition to these deployments, he spent nine years living overseas in four countries, and he traveled to 24 countries and 44 states on temporary duty.
“The most physically taxing and dangerous parts of my career were certainly my deployments to combat zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq and various parts of the Middle East and Africa,” Kale said. “Managing the complexities of these environments while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of my team was incredibly challenging, but also profoundly rewarding.”
Kale’s achievements extended well beyond his day-to-day responsibilities. He became a licensed engineer in 2001 and received the Air Force Engineer of the Year award and the Top Ten Federal Engineer of the Year award in 2002.
His dedication and performance earned him his first Bronze Star as a captain in 2003, followed by the Army Combat Action Badge in 2006. In 2007, Kale was selected as an Air Force Legislative Fellow, where he served in a congressional office on Capitol Hill for a year, gaining invaluable experience in legislative processes.
Kale’s service continued to be marked by excellence. In 2010, he earned his second Bronze Star as a Squadron Commander, and in 2012, he was awarded the Curtin Award for leading the Air Force’s best Civil Engineer Squadron.
His leadership and contributions were not limited to professional accolades; his efforts in managing the housing and transition of 15,000 Afghan refugees during the evacuation from Afghanistan were a significant highlight of his career.
“Seeing our Air Force personnel step up in such critical moments was truly inspiring,” Kale said.
Kale attributes much of his success to his mentors throughout his career.
He said one of the most important is his father, also named William—a retired Army veteran who spent time stationed in Germany, Vietnam and Korea for 22 years.
His father and mother, Judith, still live in Ewing, and his dad works as the curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey in Lawrence Township.
“My father was my biggest role model,” Kale said. “He got me started and definitely provided the foundation of what is right, so I think that carried on throughout my career.”
Reflecting on his son’s career, the elder Kale says his proudest moment was the fact that his last three promotions were all “below the zone,” meaning he was jumping year groups and that he had been performing very well throughout his service.
“I am proud of the fact that he got as far as he did, I think in the Air Force as well as the Army that you’re really talking less than 1% of the officers actually make general officer,” Kale’s father said.
Kale’s approach to leadership was deeply rooted in core values such as integrity, service and excellence. These values were instrumental in guiding him through the complexities and demands of his various roles.
“Listening more than speaking and being dependable were crucial traits that helped me navigate the various challenges I faced,” Kale said.
Throughout his career, Kale said he has often reflected on the lighthearted rivalries that added a touch of comedy to his journey.
An alumnus of Penn State, Kale frequently found himself at the receiving end of playful jabs from his father, a Rutgers graduate.
This collegiate rivalry, which mirrored the friendly competition between their respective schools, became a cherished aspect of their relationship.
Adding another layer to this rivalry was the ongoing competition between the Air Force and the Army, given Kale’s Air Force career and his father’s Army service. Whether discussing football games or military strategies, these comedic exchanges were a source of amusement and camaraderie that enriched their bond throughout Kale’s time in the Air Force.
Kale said that as he now transitions into civilian life, he plans to focus on personal interests and new opportunities.
One of his post-retirement activities includes lifeguarding at his own pool—a humorous yet fitting nod to his new phase of life.
“I’m lifeguarding this summer. And when I say lifeguarding, it’s just my own home pool,” Kale said. “It’s funny, I retired in June, but you know, I feel like I’ve been fairly busy since then.”
Looking ahead, Kale says he is excited about delving into mentoring roles and contributing his extensive experience to new fields such as university or pharmaceutical facility management.
“I still feel like I have a lot more to give and I want to be engaged in things,” Kale said. “I’ll always have a connection to all of the military engineers and will be more engaged in a mentoring kind of capacity just to help out where I can.”
Kale’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career characterized by dedication, leadership and a profound impact on both the Air Force and the community.
