Personal Narrative: Growing Up With The Air Force

Most people can relate the word “home” to one area where they grew up and made memories. Unlike most people, I called many places home. Growing up in a military family was an arduous task which had great impacts, both positive and negative, on my life. It shaped me into the person I am today. A person with a laundry list of flaws and imperfections, yet has learned to love herself.

What did you like about your experiences? I love leading Soldiers and seeing them progress as leaders. These great Americans make me very proud every day. The Brotherhood, the military families, esprit de corps, and the pride to serve your country is an awesome feeling. Meeting different people from all

I went pre-med before getting deployed and as an intern I've seen a lot of horrible things. But when it's your friend... Someone you serve with... It stays with you forever.

Did I make it? That was the question I was asking myself the night before what was going to be one of the most special days of my life. After being called to leave for Air Force Basic Training on a short 8-day notice, I was now finally at the end of my journey and tomorrow I would graduate and become an Airmen. The nerves and excitement were running through my body as I was unable to sleep in anticipation of the big day. Now the day is here and I get to celebrate all my hard work by seeing my family and earning the title of an Air Force Airmen.

I’m a military child. Change was instilled in me since my birth in Spain. My childhood was spent briefly in Europe, the east coast of the U.S, and eventually the Midwest. This change of scenery, schools, friends, and just about everything else in my life led me to be the person I am today. Travelling was amusing and I enjoyed change of pace every couple of years, but it wasn’t easy. I learned early on that getting attached to people wasn’t a good idea and should be avoided in preparation for the next move. This led me to being an incredibly shy child who couldn’t open up to people. The world I come from is an adventurous but problematic one. When I concluded making friends would assist with each transition I found myself too terrified to attempt

How my mentor saved my Air Force career? I was a lost, angry individual because of how the promotions were given out. The Air Force EPR system is an Enlisted Performance Report that every Air Force member gets annually. It serves as a report to rate every Airman, on how they did throughout that year. Personnel are rated from low as 1 to as high as 5. This rating is then used to figure out how many points you will have towards promoting to the next rank. The EPR, is broken down into three sections that an Air Force member must meet or exceed. Those three areas would be: Self Improvement (school, or some type of educational improvement), Job performance, Volunteer. This is where my mentor came in and saved my career.

One of civil air patrol's motto's in the cadet program is "rise to the challenge". When I first joined shortly after my 12th birthday I had NO idea what that meant. BUT over time I've learned SO much about myself and my abilities despite my age. Like most cadets...I want to use MY TIME in civil air patrol to inspire and lead...BUT--most of all I want to offer my service....to my friends , my family and my community....

Growing up as a military child and living all over the world, I was afforded many

You walk into a room chock-full of people. You’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. Any way you step it’s on the toes of another person. Each face unlike the other. Every person a contradiction to the next, and to top it off they’re all trying to talk to you. How would you feel? Would you shrink up in fear and be consumed by the confusion, or would you rise above and accomplish the task?

Have you ever dreamt of having a huge mansion, an expensive car or a career that you love doing everyday of your life? So have I, I have wanted to fly since I was very little, but the only way to get into the Air Force is do very well in school. In eighth grade your grades don't count towards your college applications, but as soon as you hit ninth grade, that all changes. Television has been proven to negatively affect students, it lowers reading scores, it tears apart speech, and downright destroys athleticism, all of which are important skills to success in a college application and life.

Growing-up I took notice of my family members that were in the military and how they moved a lot and I wasn’t as familiar with them due to them not being around as much. So at very young age I made the decision that I would never date a man in uniform. I also thought that men in the military would be very militant, bossy and uptight. Sure enough I met a man that was fun, outgoing, extremely laid back, so nonchalant I was for sure he was not in the military. Was I ever so fooled, not only was in the military he had already served eight years and was determined to see the world through his career in the Airforce. Once I learned this about him even though him being in the military was completely opposite of what I was looking for and excepted

I am from a family with an sportsy sister, a loving sister, a mischievous brother, and a playful, caring dog (who also has one eye)!A family never in one place at a time, always moving, from grassy plains ,to the hot hot desert, pacific to atlantic. I am from a military family.

With this particular scenario, I would like to fall back on a few things I learned when I first went to basic training in the United States Air Force: Integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do. With such a small hospital, probably a small laboratory, and the amount of new techs with little to minimal experience I would use an authoritative and democratic type of style to lead. This approach would allow me to get my team together and see the vision that I envision for the laboratory as a service and our team as a whole. While using their input and ideas to fulfill our mission which would be to serve patients in the most effective and efficient way. The Hersey-Blanchard theory would work here, because this would allow me to

There are so many different attributes and experiences people bring to the United States Air Force Academy. Although what makes me unique is what I bring which includes: meticulous habits, the ability to see beyond the horizon, problem solving, life experiences in leadership, and energy to the student body. My attention to detail is strong. Whether, finishing up my PowerPoint presentation for class, or conducting a pre-flight in a Cessna 172, I am assiduous in my preparation, trapping and eliminating threats, and reducing the potential for error. In addition, Seeing beyond the horizon, I can prepare now with the luxury of time that might not be available later. My Flight Instructor, Col Glen Whicker (USAF Ret.) pounded into my head, “ Always

There are many different words I could have chosen, but the reasons I chose Air Cadet are personal and have daily influences in my life. One reason I have for picking Air Cadet is that it is such big part of my life taking up much of my time along with needing constant dedication and attention. Another factor for me picking those words is because I’m proud to be a cadet and I’m happy to let others know of my status as a cadet. I also firmly believe that both going to cadets regularly and also attending the additionally offered events have made me a better person. It has given me new skills and opportunities to work on my public speaking and ability to effectively communicate along with many others. These are a few of the ideas that come to mind when I ponder the significance of Air Cadets and why I choose it.