Three service members gain U.S. citizenship at Sheppard Published Nov. 9, 2016 By Senior Airman Robert L. McIlrath 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Members serving in the U.S. armed forces come from all over the world. For some, joining the military isn’t just to travel or for education opportunities, but to become an American citizen. For three service members at Sheppard for technical training, the journey to become naturalized finally ended on Nov. 8, 2016. With their peers and commanders there to watch, two Airmen and a Sailor raised their right hand and swore their allegiance to the United States, officially becoming American citizens. For Airman 1st Class David Blackwood, a Jamaica native and 366th Training Squadron water and fuels system maintenance student, becoming an American was a dream of his. Being able to become an American while becoming and Airmen in the process was a huge bonus, he said. “Being in the Air Force motivates me to constantly better myself, and it will give me skills that will last a lifetime,” Blackwood said. Airman 1st Class Vivek Patel, 361st TRS aircrew flight equipment student and India native, said it’s an honor to be an American and to serve in the world’s greatest Air Force. “My brother inspired me to join the Air Force,” Patel said. “The whole naturalization process only took about 5 months from the beginning of basic training until now.” Seaman Olakunle Omodara, 366th TRS civil engineering student and native of Nigeria, knew he wanted to serve in the U.S. military after he witnessed Veterans Day in America. “It blew my mind,” Omodara said. “Education brought me to the U.S., but I’ve always been interested in the Navy. I don’t even know what English word to use to describe this feeling besides ‘wow’.” Full of patriotism and pride for their new country, these service members have earned their right to call themselves Americans.