Laughlin Airmen pitch jobs to DRMS

  • Published
  • By Mr. Kent Cummins
  • 47th FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AFB, TEXAS --  Team XL members took time from their duties recently to help map a future for local students. Nearly 20 volunteers from Laughlin participated in the Del Rio Middle School Career Day Friday morning.

Pilots, aircraft maintainers, security forces members and firefighters shared their Air Force career experiences with 7th and 8th graders at the school.

Laughlin volunteers discussed how they became interested in their particular field, the training they received, what a typical day is like, what they enjoy most about their jobs and much more.

One Laughlin participant, and a student favorite, wasn't able to speak to the kids but instead had to rely on interpreters to tell her story.

Kelly, a 10-year-old retired military working dog, attended the event with K-9 handlers from the 47th Security Force Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Jason Winge and Staff Sgt. Nick Ehlinger.

Sergeants Winge and Ehlinger told an 8th grade American History class about the adventures of being an Air Force dog handler and discussed Kelly's extensive service. Kelly, an explosives and patrol specialist, has been on several presidential missions and has deployed to the Middle East numerous times earning two Expeditionary Medals for detecting explosive devices and saving human lives.

When asked by a student what the hardest part of being an Air Force dog handler was, Sergeant Winge responded "leaving your dog is the hardest part of my job."

In another nearby classroom, Capts. Catherine Gutierrez and Mike Brown, Laughlin instructor pilots, spoke to a room packed with eager 8th graders about what's needed to become an Air Force pilot. Captain Gutierrez urged the students to "get good grades and get involved in the community.' "You need to be a well-rounded person," she said.

In the Middle School's music room, students gathered to listen to Laughlin aircraft maintainers exhort the base's "Grow Your Own Program."

The students will be able to participate in the program when they journey to high school. "Grow Your Own" is a unique program designed to recruit and train likely candidates enrolled at Del Rio High School for aircraft maintenance careers.

Candidates earn high school credits while training at Laughlin during school hours. More than 300 local students have graduated from the program since its inception in 1990.

Nearly 240 graduates of the program received their first full-time jobs at the base. Laughlin firefighters also were on hand at career day explaining their demanding and often dangerous job.

The firefighters used the opportunity to give students valuable lessons in fire safety. School officials were pleased with the participation from the base and the many other organizations throughout the Del Rio community.

"We thank the volunteers for showing their commitment to the youth of our community," said Jaime Solis, a DRMS counselor. "It (Career Day) is such an important activity at our campus," said Mr. Solis.

"It provides our students an opportunity to learn directly from the people who are involved in their fields of interest." Laughlin volunteers who attended career day were: Danny Gallaher, Jo Ann Little, Robert Sandoval, Olin Jensen, Daniel Whitehead, Lucas Free, Maj. James Tate, Capt. Joe Gates, Captain Gutierrez, Captain Brown, Capt. Damon Sevier, 2nd Lt. George Normandin, 2nd Lt. Joe Rice, Sergeant Winge, Sergeant Ehlinger, Airman 1st Class Joshua Thompson, Airman 1st Class James Croswell and Airman Scottie Ruester.