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Show i mm tCZ mm m w m May 10, 2001 Marquez Award winner finds career success by Senior Airman Russ Martin Hilltop Times staff when Operation Desert Storm, Sgt Jesse San was given an opportunity. He was trusted to take care of 24 aircraft, a duty normally assigned to a master sergeant That was the point when he knew he was going to make the Air Force a career. Now 11 years later, Senior Master Sgt San Juan, 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron, has six numbers he keeps in his mind for motivation 24, 22, 21, 20, 15, 13 and seven. is the numbers of years in Twenty-fou- r is the number the military. Twenty-tw- o wife married Susan. Twenty-onto his of years 20, 15 and 13 are the ages of his children Mark, Suzette, Stephanie and Jason. And seven he hopes to see turn into an eight some day soon the number of stripes on his shoulders. San Juan has seen much success through out his career. Most recently he was awarded the Gen. Leo Marquez award. The award honors those who are the best of the best in their career field, according to San Juan. Since his enlistment as an aircraft frician on Janl 10, 1977, San Juan has worked with several different types of aircraft -- from helicopters to fighters to different types of cargoes. While working in the Air Mobility Command, he was responsible for working 12 weapons systems at one time or another. e "I basically have completed the for weapons systems," said San Juan. "I understand that hey, this is from cradle to grave, I've seen how a weapons system is brought up before dismantling." But even with all his experience, San Juan was still unaware of the recognition he would receive. "I was pretty surprised," San Juan said. "Even when it started, my supervisor told me, hey we put you in for that award.' It's a great honor, especially when the supervisors are the ones putting you in for the prestigious award, he said. "I was pretty excited when General Marquez presented me the plaque. It basically shows the man representing the award itself; it's very humbling." San Juan attributes his award to hard work and making it a point to not just talk about doing a good job, but letting his work speak for itself. "When I first came in, I wanted to go places," he said. "But unfortunately during the course of my career, I always In 1990, in high gear, Tech. e, - life-cycl- put in for the Atlantic side. Guess what! I always went to the Pacific side. Be that as it may, I concentrated on what I could do from whatever place I go. I like to make things work at any location, no matter what people say about it. If it's bad to them, I want to make it paradise to me. So I can concentrate on the mission or task given to me." In the career of crash damage repair, temporary duty is always lurking and family is almost always missed. "The unit has been really incorporating the family when it comes to the mission," San Juan said. "Our mission in this squadron is aircraft battle damage in wartime. In peace time we go out to fix crash damage, burn damaged aircraft I have the most highly skilled technicians when it comes to this particular weapons F-l 17. Once we go system out we know our mission, but at the same time we tack on the family with the mission through communication. "There's always got to be communication whenever we go out," he said. "Whether it be the most austere conditions. Whether we go to Thailand, Turkey or, PSAB (Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia) that's one of the emphases there. Once you take care of that the people will take care of the mission." San Juan's emphasis on keeping the family informed stems from his own life where family is a top priority "I met my wife (Susan) while I was stationed at Clark AB, Philippines" San Juan said. "She's not in the military, but she understands the military way of life. I used to go on a whole lot of TDYs. I was so mission oriented that I'd go for whatever task was given out there, whether it was going to the desert for six months or desolate places in the Pacific where we couldn't contact anybody. I couldn't have lasted this long with out the tremendous support of my wife. "Every weekend, I try to give to my family," he said. "I try to concentrate on my kids. Basically, I'm trying to mold them. I've got my kids playing the piano. Jason plays sax with the jazz band and concert band in school. He plays violin as well. Even the two girls play the piano. We play golf and tennis with the kids." The family of six wasn't always so. In the late 1980s, Suzette, Stephanie and Jason rounded out the San Juan children. That is until Susan and Jesse decided to adopt Mark. "I wanted to balance it out with two boys and two girls," San Juan said. "I also wanted to give him an opportunity. F-1-6, N i f 4. 7 ... if! 1 - A-1-0, ft s 0 5) 5 ' !:. Senior Master Sgt Jesse San Juan "When I was a kid, just before high Mark is now 21 and has begun an Air school I was in groups dealing with spir- Force career as an air traffic controller itual needs, logistical support money," atMcConnellAFB, Kan. San Juan said. "I started teaching ecoAt 46, San Juan still doesn't know nomics and religion. Looking at the kids, what the future holds but wherever he looking at how their futures would be ends up he knows he'll be happy. "We can go anywhere," San Juan said. molded left a mark in my mind and when I had the opportunity to take one in, I "I have family all over. It's still undecided did." right now. Club inducts officers, honors scholarship recipients The Hill Officers' Spouses' Club held its 2001 Scholarship Awards reception May 3 to honor seven high school seniors and induct its new executive board. The scholarship recipients were Robert D. Hatch and Amy J. Lloyd, Northridge High; Laura A. Callen, Katie L Cottrell and Brian E. Zaugg, Clearfield High; and Andrew H. Bair and Athena-Daw- n Whetsel, Lay-to-n High. The OSC, along with its sponsors the Hill Enlisted Spouses' and Associates' Club, the Hill Thrift Store, the Utah Chapter of the Air Force Association, and the Layton USPA&IRA office, awarded a total of $8,500 to the students this year. To help fund the scholarships, the OSC held several fund raising events throughout the year, including the Christ COPY mas Gift Wrap Booth and an "Auction for Education" in March. During the scholarship reception, the students and their parents were treated to hors d'oeuvres, punch, coffee and cake. Nanette Hoxsie of Ogden provided harp music A program followed which included special words of inspiration by Diane Vozzola, OSC Pres- ident. The students received presentations from Pam Bergren, OSC honorary president; Carlin Miner, OSC honorary advisor; Craig Allen, Air Force Association representative; Chris Young, USPA&IRA representative; Brenda Lake, ESAC president; and Angela Newbill, OSC Ways and Means Chairman. The students were presented with oversized checks, and told the audience about their future goals. Scholarship selection committee members were Col. John Weida, 388th Fighter Wing commander; Col. Per Korslund, 75 Civil Engineer Group commander; Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gary Carlson; Ed Brisley, 75th Mission Support Squadron; and Miner. Following the scholarship reception, the new executive board for OSC participated in a candlelight induction ceremony. Executive board members for 2001-0are Karen Olson, president; Debbie Mauld-ing- , first vice president; Caroline Charron, second vice president; Monica Scrum, treasurer; Darlene Deas, assistant treasurer, Gina Fass, recording secretary; Carla Fountain, corresponding secretary; and Pamela Herbert, parliamentarian. 2 |