Anthony Ornelaz

Anthony hails from a small agricultural town in Southern California called Wasco. He always dreamed of joining the military and following the examples set by his grandfather and father, which led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces member in 2006. His service gave him the opportunity to live and work in Turkey, Italy, Kuwait, and Germany, where he fully immersed himself in each of those cultures. During his eight years of service, he held positions such as nuclear security controller, installation patrolman, and physical security manager. Anthony’s military experience ultimately led him to pursue a career in academia after his discharge.

He went on to attend Sierra College, where he earned three associate degrees in History, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and LGBT studies. From there, Anthony transferred to Amherst College, where he earned his bachelor’s in History and Sexuality, Women, and Gender studies. And finally, Anthony completed his Master of Fine Arts in Creative writing as well as a certificate of advanced study in the European Union and Contemporary Europe from Syracuse University. These degrees were selected to best help him articulate his experiences, while also allowing him to pursue a continuum of interests. Anthony chose this endeavor in the hopes of inspiring those who do not normally occupy artistic spaces. He is also dedicated to creating new avenues in poetry where military perspectives and experiences can thrive.