Michael Gorzynski’s Path from Flight to Education
November 17, 2025
Michael Gorzynski has been fascinated by flying since he was a kid, recalling that the only things he ever made from LEGO® bricks were planes.
After flying and maintaining Blackhawk helicopters all over the world for the U.S. Army, the first-generation transfer student has joined Rutgers–Camden this fall to launch a mission of his own.
Raised in Passaic and Middlesex counties, a young Gorzynski researched helicopters and their mechanics, which sparked his interest in serving in the U.S. Air Force at 17. An administrative error disqualified him from serving in that branch, but he was welcomed into the U.S. Army, where he would learn to fly and repair UH-60, or Blackhawk, helicopters.
He logged more than 350 flight hours, attended a military-issued technical school to learn helicopter maintenance, and then served at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia for close to three years. He was later selected to perform aircraft maintenance for the 160th, which is the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).
[…] Gorzynski chose to move on from the military but was indebted to the friends he made and lessons he learned. “The people there are amazing. The experiences I've had are never going to be matched again,” he said. He added he’s part of a few local veterans organizations, which keep him close to the community.
While enlisted, he had taken college courses for two years; however, the online format made it difficult for him to stay motivated. “I just didn't like the lack of structure. It kind of soured me on the idea of college,” he said. After leaving the service, he landed on aircraft mechanic contract roles in the private sector, but a series of layoffs forced him to rethink his career and his pursuit of higher education.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Gorzynski could think of only one school to apply to. “Rutgers was the obvious choice; Rutgers was always my first choice. Nothing more to it,” he said. “I also know it is a really good university. It helps when your home university is among the best in a lot of areas.
Reposted from Rutgers Camden