Boise State Senior Justin Wing Transitions From Navy to Public Service

Justin Wing enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2020 with aspirations of a career in aviation and a long-term goal of becoming an astronaut, but five years later, the Boise State University senior is charting a different course in public service, Boise State News reported.

Wing, a public service leadership major, spent five years in the Navy as an Aviation Electrician Mate. His military tenure began with a mandatory two-week quarantine in a hotel room before basic training, an isolated start that forged the patience and resilience he relies on today.

“Public service and bureaucracy is a very slow process,” Wing said. “I think that patience has really helped me out.”

As he approached the end of his military commitment, Wing noticed changes affecting the military and observed fellow service members facing uncertainty and unfair treatment. Those experiences reshaped his perspective on leadership and prompted him to shift his academic focus toward government, criminal justice, and politics.

Building Experience in Law and Campaigns

Before leaving the Navy, Wing completed an internship as a legal assistant with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. That hands-on legal work deepened his dedication to serving others before he stepped onto the Boise State campus.

His entry into Idaho politics began through Boise State Listens, where he shared his military experiences with the campus community. That speech caught the attention of Austin Campbell, campaign manager for Todd Achilles’ campaign, who offered Wing an internship that expanded into managing day-to-day campaign operations.

Seeking to share those practical opportunities with fellow undergraduates, Wing helped develop Students for Independence chapters on Idaho college campuses. As he looks ahead to his graduation in spring 2027, Wing is weighing law school applications focused on civil rights and disability law, alongside potential roles in constituent services helping Idahoans work with government agencies.

For Wing, service is not defined solely by a uniform, a position or a title. It is reflected in the decision to treat others with dignity, especially when they are struggling.