Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Eglin akabatana neIndiana National Guard muna 1911 achiri mudzidzi paWabash College, uye akatanga basa rehurumende muna June 1916, achishumira pa
muganhu weUnited States neMexico. Muna 1917 akagadzwa muIndiana Guard pashure pokunge United States yapinda muHondo Yenyika I uye akapiwa basa rokudzidzisa vatyairi vendege. Pashure pokuwana mwero wake somutyairi uye komisheni muAviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, Eglin akaramba ari pachikoro somurayiridzi wokubhururuka. Eglin akagamuchira basa renguva dzose muAir Service musi waJuly 1, 1920 uye akatungamirira mapoka akawanda muUnited States nePhilippines.