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Show Lifetimes September 30, 2004 Academy created foundation for Hispanic female grad by Rudi Williams American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON - Not only was Linda Garcia Cubero the first Hispanic woman graduate of the Air Force Academy, she was the only Hispanic woman to graduate from any of the nation's service academies in 1980, when the first classes with women graduated. President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation Oct. 7,1975, permitting women to enter the nation's military academies. Women entered the Air Force Academy for the first time on June 28, 1976. The first class with women graduated in May 1980. A graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School in Chicopee, Mass., Mrs. Cubero was the first woman in that state to receive an appointment to any military academy. Mrs. Cubero said she decided to pursue an education at the academy to follow her father's footsteps into the Air Force as a commissioned officer. She also wanted to travel and see the world. Linda Cubero "And I wanted to get a really good education and the opportunities at the service academies were just too good to pass up," said Mrs. Cubero, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree in political sciBut the transition is tough, she said, for ence and earned her free-fall parachute an 18-year-old who has never been away from In her address.to the National Latina Symposium, Linda Cubero shared her key ingrediwings. home. ents necessary for success in today's challenging times: She spent seven years in the Air Force serv- "Emotionally and mentally, it was quite a • Develop relationships and cultivate networks: "You can't survive on your skills alone. ing as a command briefer to a four-star gen- challenge, but one that I think created a foun- Good leaders don't have to have all the right answers - they just need to know where to go dation for my success today," said Mrs. eral and on national-level task forces at to get them," she said. the Pentagon. As a liaison to the White House, Cubero, now a client director at Hewlett• Practice lifelong learning: "Seek to understand more than just your job. Look for ways to Packard. She's also on the board of direcMrs. Cubero supervised the development improve things around you." of a U.S. commemorative postage stamp hon- tors of the Girl Scouts Tejas Council. • Develop your business acumen and judgment: "Ask questions. Seek a mentor. Continue oring Hispanics in the defense of the nation. In 1998, Mrs. Cubero was inducted into to learn and grow and be generous with what you learn. Don't be afraid to fail or you will never The stamp was designed by the 10 survivthe National Hispanic Engineering Hall of succeed." ing Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients and Fame. In 2002, Hispanic Business magazine • Develop your leadership competencies: "Whether it's government, military, corporate unveiled by President Ronald Reagan at the named her as one of the "100 Most InfluAmerica, or an academic institution, every organizations needs good leaders, at all levels." : White House in 1984. ential Hispanics" in the United States. She • Achieve personal clarity: "Be curious about yourself. Understand what brings you fully; The former Air Force captain said she spent has been featured in several magazines and alive, what matters most to you, what motivates you, and design your life around those things. four years at the Pentagon with the Defense is a frequent keynote speaker. The better you take care of yourself, the more you can be there for others." , • •, -,She said the four years at the academy, the Intelligence Agency and three years at the Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Va. discipline, the leadership, the skills she sure you share those learnings with others," not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate among learned and the academic background all She resigned her commission after marryus anyone who does." "And I learned that she said. ing a civilian and starting a family, and she laid a foundation for her successes in life. When she spoke at the National Latina Sym- your integrity, your word, is something that "The self-confidence I have today was started a graduate-degree program. no one can ever take away," Mrs. Cubero posium honoring Hispanic women milibuilt there," Mrs. Cubero said. "It had a tary academy graduates in early September, said. "I learned that serving your country Mrs. Cubero said her first year at the acad1 tremendous impact on my career and my Mrs. Cubero told the gathering that her life- is not just about putting on a uniform every emy "was pretty rough. ' day; it's about duty, pride, honor, character "I wasn't used to being yelled at and being success both in the Air Force and in the cor- long motto is, "You tell me I can't, and I'll porate environment." show you I will." While at the academy, she and about being part of a team." braced up against the wall and told to tuck Her advice to young Hispanic women who said, she learned the value of an education your chin in and do push-ups and sit-ups," Since graduating from the academy, Mrs. she noted. "The academic environment did- are contemplating attending a military acad- is not just from books or classrooms, but Cubero said, she learned that the definition also from experiences and relationships. emy is to "make sure it's something you n't bother me. The physical aspect didn't of success "isn't in the size of your paycheck, really want; make sure it's for you. If it's not bother me, but the mental and emotional but in the opportunities you create for oth"I learned that the only barriers in your for you, you will not survive. You'll be very way are those you create yourself," Mrs. challenge was tough. The intent is to strip ers and in the differences you can make. you down as individuals and form you into unhappy." "I've also learned that when they said, 'Just Cubero said. "I learned the value of true first a follower and then learn how to be a being an academy grad will open up doors Mrs. Cubero said those who are given an friendship and what it means to serve othleader and how to be a part of a team. They opportunity to attend an academy should for you,1 they really meant it; it's true," Mrs. ers before self.1' She said she also learned do a very good job of that." Cubero noted. give back as they grow and learn. "Make about an honor code that says, "We will Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15 Key ingredients for success Hill Airman spotlights Tops in Blue performances by Beth Young Hilltop times staff Senior Airman Kyle Brasier has put down his tools and picked up a spotlight, as part of the 2004 crew of Tops in Blue, the Air Force traveling entertainment group. For those who think that the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-16 crew chief has got it easy now that he's in show business should know that he has already come under heavy fire. And it wasn't from critics. "During our performance at Baghdad, the base was actually shelled," he said. "And we just kept on performing." The cast was unaware of the danger, except for a few audience members leaving quickly and fire trucks driving by. "We knew something was going on but we weren't sure what and the show must go on," Airman Brasier said. And the show has gone on -- half way across the globe. After more than 20 shows in the Middle East, Tops in Blue has recently returned to entertain the states they call home. Cur—Senior Airman Kyle Brasier rently they have performed more than 30 shows of a 150-plus show tour. Helping to keep the show illuminating, Airman Brasier is the assistant lighting director. In this position, he helped design "Physically there is nothing easy about this tour," Airman the lighting for the show and assists on the lighting board. Brasier said. "We have worked in 137-degree temperatures. While much of the lighting is very technically advanced and In Baghdad we sat on a C-130 that was broken down on the automated, his main responsibility - running the spotlight durflight line for about an hour as we waited for them to fix it ing the nearly two and half hour show - is entirely hands on. with no air conditioning." Courtesy photo "I run the 15,000 candle watt spotlight and it's completely However, Airman Brasier expressed that the long hours hand operated," Airman Brasier said. "I follow the leads of Senior airman Kyle Brasier operates the spotlight during a recent and the heavy lifting are a small price to pay for the expe"Tops In Blue" performance in Las Vegas. each song, so they are highlighted during their song. Even rience of a lifetime. though it's one light, you can make some dramatic effects withsays that his favorite location has been Baghdad. "I have been put in situation where I had to step up and the spotlight and really change the mood of the song." "It's just very humbling to be out there and see the condi- be a leader," he said. "I have really been able to see myself grow and become stronger in everything I do. We Along with the normal two months of training at Lackland tions-and the temperatures the (military members) live in AFB, Texas, that all members of the show go through, Airman everyday," Airman Brasier said. "Some of them are deployed have a saying. 'It doesn't get easier; you just get better at Brasier also had the opportunity to go to the lighting manu- for a year. They do so much and so few of them are recognizedit.'" facturer's headquarters for their three^day technical training - from driving convoys in very unfriendly areas to cooking "Kyle is very easy going and for a senior airman he is adept food for the rest of the troops. To be able to do this and help in leadership. In his position, he is very confident and on class. "His role in the show is critical. It adds a visual aspect that out the tooops - bring a little bit of joy to them wherever they top of his game," s*d Lieutenant Richmond. takes it to a higher level," said Lt. Laura Richmond, tour direc- are - it's a really powerful thing." Airman Brasier's adventure, along with the rest of the tor and vocalist. "They put together a show that is on par Although it may seem glamorous - getting paid to travel the Tops in Blue assemble, is^ar from over. After entertaining with a major production." world, entertaining people - akin to an all expenses paid vaca- the western United States, they will be going to Europe, tion, the cast and crew pay with hard work and sweat, literally. only to return to finish with the easteftr United States. "I have had a passion for theater since high school," Airman Brasier said. "I was on the stage crew for four years." In addition to his lighting duties, along with the rest a^the Finally they come full circle at to Lackland AFB, Texas, and the Worldwide Competition, where the next generation of His passion has taken him to places he never thought he crew and cast, setup and teardown about 36,000 pounds of talent competes to be in Tops in Blue 2005. woulg go. So|ar - even with the dangenous conditions - he equipment for the set. "During our performance at Baghdad, the base was actually shelled, and we just kept on performing." yy |