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Chris Nettles meets Royalty

Chris Nettles meets Royalty

by Renee Fite

City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media


Stilwell native, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Nettles, met royalty when Prince Edward was visiting the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena.


“The photo was taken on Ascension Island. Prince Edward was visiting the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena and his aircraft was staged from Ascension Island, which is where I was stationed at the time,” Nettles said.


It was a very good visit.


“During his layover we had a small window to meet with him and talk about our roles on the island. I was one of many people who spoke with him that day, so my time was limited.


The conversation went well and we had a good chat about the US role on the island and the how we partnered with the UK on various efforts,” said Nettles.

Chris Nettles meets Prince Edward


Lieutenant Colonel Chris Nettles met Prince Edward when the royal representative was visiting the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena.

courtesy photo

A Civil Engineer in the Air Force, Nettles attended the US Air Force Academy from 2005 to 2009. In 2009 he commissioned and started his Active Duty career. May, 2025 will be the 16 year mark.


He is enjoying his career and encourages young people to consider the opportunities military service can offer.


“Having been in for 16 years, I obviously think highly of the career I’ve chosen,” Nettles said.


The military is a great option for many people, he said.


“The military offers a lot of benefits you won’t find in any other job, but it does come with sacrifices, so you really have to balance what you’re looking to achieve and if the military can help you get there,” said Nettles.


Training can carry over to certifications on the civilian side for career such as HVAC technician, electrician, plumbers, vehicle and aircraft maintenance.

“These jobs can allow you to get free skills training and immediately move into other jobs when you get out,” he said.


Not everyone knows what career they want to pursue.


“If you don’t know what you want to do when you graduate high school, you’re willing to give up some autonomy, and have the desire to work hard, the military is probably a great option to jump start your career,” he said.


Serving in the military can help with college tuition.


 “If you are college-bound after high school but are struggling with paying for school, joining ROTC could be a good option,” he said. “Often ROTC will cover a portion, or all, of your tuition, and when you graduate you will be commissioned and have a 4 to 5 year commitment to the military. I went to the Air Force Academy, and that provided me with a free 4-year college education, and a guaranteed job on graduation. It’s often tough to get into the officer programs, but putting in the hard work up front can pay dividends down the road.”

Nettles is the son of Coye and Larry Nettles. He is married to Coralie, from New South Wales, Australia.


“We met while I was stationed in Japan. She currently works as a Patent Examiner for the US Patent and Trademark Office,” he said.


His hometown was a good starting place.


“Growing up in Stilwell was great. Most of my friends I was in school with from pre-school until I left after my sophomore year, and I was able to develop a close group of friends. This was all before cellphones, so we had to just cruise the streets hoping to find each other the weekends,” he said.


Although Stilwell is small and there’s not much to do, he said, “we always

found a way to stay out of trouble, or at least keep our trouble away from prying eyes.”


“Being a small community you must get to know the people around you and it drives you expand your social circle, something you don’t always get when you move to larger cities,” he said.


Reading is a hobby he enjoys.


“To the surprise of most of my teachers from Stilwell, I’ve become a consistent reader as I’ve gotten older. I try to always be reading a fiction and non-fiction book,” he said. “I just finished reading Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, and have moved on to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.  For non-fiction, I just finished World War II at Sea by Craig Symonds, and am now reading The Coldest Winter by Davis Halberstam.”

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