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Show 2 COMMENTARY I Idltop TIMES January 27, 2011 J ES 948 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter ... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Catherine McNally Hilltop Times Writer Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimesqstandard.net or call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop limes does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 801-625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gorny, at mgorny@standard. net. Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. Air Force leaders commemorate My educational journey—from foster care to the forefront Martin Luther King Jr. birthday Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs BY MASTER SGT. ALAN BRADEN 88th Force Support Squadron W ASHINGTON — Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy issued the following message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force: This year, on what would have been the 82nd birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., let us pause to reflect on the extraordinary leadership with which he forged our nation's path toward greater justice and equality for all, irrespective of color, creed, station or race. Although his life was tragically cut short by the very intolerance that he urged all people to forsake, Dr. King's powerful message has continued to inspire each of us to honor the timeless principles of freedom and opportunity. These concepts are embodied in our Service Core values of "Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do." Our collective challenge is to build on Dr. King's legacy, and permeate his wisdom throughout our nation's culture — in our military and in our cornmunities. The Air Force is dedicated to fostering a diverse force — one that draws strength and vitality from our different perspectives. We seek empowerment from diversity beyond W that of race, gender, religion and other conventional notions of personal identity. Indeed, we seek diversity of thought, education and experiences that have shaped each of us, and which will continue to strengthen our Air Force. Dr. King's philosophy is as meaningful today as it was when he boldly championed it during the civil rights movement. He had a dream. We demonstrate our commitment to this dream by continuing to build a cohesive team of Airmen from all segments of our society, an Air Force in which each Airman is valued for his or her individual perspective while at the same time bound by shared values and common cause. This is a military necessity. We encourage each of you, whether with family and friends, or while on faithful watch at one of our many worldwide locations, to ponder these truths and remember the legacy of Dr. King. We thank you all for your service. Air Force chief of staff releases 2011 reading list Air Force News Service W HAWC Nest ASHINGTON — The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest professional reading list Jan. 21. "Effectively operating within our increasingly dynamic, interconnected and complex world requires steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth," Gen. Norton Schwartz said in a letter to Airmen. "Therefore, professional reading will continue to be vital as we maintain our initiative today and prepare for the future," Schwartz said. "I am pleased to announce my 2011 reading list, which provides worthwhile options for all Airmen to further their professional education and augment their leadership skills." Fitness Tip from the Health and Wellness Center The Freshstart program to quit tobacco is a four-part series that meets weekly for one month. All active duty, dependents, retirees, Department of Defense federal employees and contractors are eligible to attend. Call Pat Cerone Health and Wellness Center at (801) 777-1215 for more information. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2011 DUIs: 0 Hill's Last DUI: sec, /2 Unit Involved: 3,Fga ,iezeizsa# 7161eatee-teotee Space/to* Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight L See READING I page 3 RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Growing up in foster homes left me with few educational opportunities and options. Struggling to find work, I enlisted in the Air Force in February 1996 and began my career at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. I was eager to learn and get in school, but I found that many noncommissioned officers said, "You don't need a degree" and "Be an Airman, not a full-time college student." Listening to the advice of those NCOs, I did little studying and put education on the back-burner. However, after moving to Colorado Springs, I quickly changed my perspective. I began working with cadets at the Air Force Academy, and I saw what an impact education made on their lives and how important it was to the bigger Air Force. So, as a senior Airman, I enrolled in school and began taking classes. I had recently married and was working 12-15hour night shifts. That made school difficult, but I managed to knock out three classes. However, with one class left for my Community College of the Air Force degree in Allied Health Science, I was tasked for a four-month deployment to Saudi Arabia with follow-on orders to Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Scott AFB was a great assignment; however, my wife flew aero-vac and was deployed non-stop, and we had just had a brand new baby boy. I tried scheduling classes, but it was difficult. So I just stopped going. Fortunately, I got lucky and was selected for instructor duty and forced to complete my last CCAF class in order to stay in AIRMAN TO AIRMAN EEA the Air Force and move to Sheppard AFB, Tex. It was tough, but I made it work. I had to juggle coordinating babysitters and working long shifts, but I finally finished that last algebra class to earn my CCAF degree. After attending my first college graduation, I felt like I had accomplished something. That day something happened — I became hungry for education. Once I was assigned to Sheppard, I earned my second CCAF degree in Instructor Technology and Military Science and continued working on my bachelor's degree. It was no easy task, but my efforts paid off, and in 2007 I earned my bachelor's degree in education, graduating with honors. Immediately after receiving my BA, I decided to continue my education, and in 2008, I completed my master's degree in education, graduating summa cum laude. I credit my educational success to that first CCAF degree. I'm eager to promote education, and I've applied for and was accepted into a doctoral program. I began taking classes while deployed to Kuwait. People think I'm crazy, and I've been called an Air Force student; however, all of my schoolwork has been done after hours and never to the detriment of the Air Force. These comments only increase my motivation to mentor our great Airmen on the importance of CCAF and advanced education. I tell them, if a foster kid from Detroit can be a doctoral candidate, they can do anything. And it all started with my CCAF. 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Where are you from? New Orleans, La. When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with What is your favorite quote? "Who dat, gonna beat dem Saint s?"—The Saints football team Who is your favorite band? The Backstreet Boys. Year of the... you in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. Watch - Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone is a Sensor Senior Airman Jenna Riggs Finance Technician, 75th Comptroller Squadron What is your favorite childhood memory? Building forts in my living room. What is your favorite thing about being in the Air Force? The camaraderie and the friendships you establish. What are your future goals? To get my Community College of the Air Force degree. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? San Phone numbers — The baseagencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: SUICIDE PREVENTION ASSISTANCE Francisco because I like the atmosphere and going out to the Bay Area. What is your favorite movie? "The Patriot." If you were not in the Air Force, what would you want to be and why? I would want to be a sports marketer so I could meet Drew Brees. Who do you think will win the Super Bowl this year? Green Bay Packers. Mental Health Clinic 777-7909 Chaplain 777-2106 Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 National Suicide (800) 273-8255 Prevention Line TriWest Crisis Line (866) 284-3743 TriWest Behavioral (866) 651-4970 Health Contact Center EAP (800) 222-0364 Occupational Medicine Services Wingman Advocates 777-1163 777-2255 Security Forces 24-hr. Crisis Information Force Support Squadron Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation 777-3056 777-3056 777-4134 777-2043 777-6142 t Equal Opportunity Office 777-5455 (civilian) Employer Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program Hill Straight Talk IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) Loud Noise (complaints) 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Safety Office Hotline Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when activated) 777-7129 777-1851 777-6246 777-6901 777-9696 777-5305 777-5361 777-5361 1-877-885-9595 777-4918 777-1856 777-7433 777-5333 825-9392 777-3333 586-9300 777-3257 777-1852 777-3090 |