Robert Degregorio got his star in July — and he’s savoring it.
The Myrtle Beach High School alumnus, who now lives in Charleston, was promoted to brigadier general in the Air Force on July 16, continuing a stellar 30-year career.
“Oh, it’s amazing,” Degregorio said. “It’s very humbling, man. I never came into the service chasing a star or anything like that. Just to get to that level is amazing. It feels great. It really does.”
Air Force Brigadier General Robert Degregorio is second from left.
Generals wear stars on their uniform lapels, beginning with one for a brigadier general. Major generals get two stars, lieutenant generals get three and generals get four.
A lengthy process is involved for selection to brigadier general and it was an emotional experience for Degregorio, who is known as “Bobby D” by his friends and family.
“I broke down, just tears of joy,” Degregorio said. “Kind of a culmination of all the years and the sacrifices the family has given. … I was in awe, kind of in shock.”
And it’s a challenge.
Degregorio left active duty status in 2005 and has served in the Air Force Reserve since then. He is now the Mobiization Assistant to the 14th Logistics and Engineering Directorate, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.
That’s right, Hawaii. Degregorio reports there for stints of 10-14 days quarterly, leaving behind his wife, Tricia, and their daughter at home in Charleston.
“It is a lot of travel,” he said. “My wife’s a saint. She’s the one who holds it all together.”
Degregrio’s roots, of course, trace back to Myrtle Beach High School, where he was a standout wide receiver and defensive back along with being the backup quarterback.
During his three-year prep career in the early 1990s, the Seahawks reached the Lower State championship game twice.
“It was good times,” Degregorio said. “Doug Shaw was a huge mentor of mine and took care of us boys. I really enjoyed it. It was a great time.”
Degregorio was good enough on the gridiron to play college football, which he did at Charleston Southern.
