AMOC students host tour for local Boys and Girls Club

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 363rd Training Squadron's Aircraft Maintenance Officers' Course hosted a tour of Sheppard for the Boys and Girls Club of Wichita Falls May 1.
 
The tour was meant to show young men and women the positive role the military plays within society.

"I wanted to be involved in the community," said Lt. Dayna Grant, an AMOC student in class 130211 and tour coordinator. "I wanted to do a unique project that would make a difference."

Grant looks at the tour as a way to portray the military in positive light.

"This gives a good opportunity for them (the children), to be inspired," Grant said.

The Boys and Girls Club seemed to enjoy the tour and see what the base had to offer as well.

"I loved it and the kids loved it," said Jenny Brandt, assistant director for the Boys and Girls Club of Wichita Falls. "We've been trying to come out here for a while now."

Grant enjoyed giving the kids a different perspective on something not as routine as what they may encounter in their daily lives, and spread awareness about AMOC officers, who are in charge of air shows and coordinate the activities of flight lines.

"Talking to these young minds gives them something different to see," Grant said. "This gives a good opportunity for the kids to be inspired and get the word out about AMOC."
 
Brandt noted how the children enjoyed the interactive part of the tour the most.

"They loved going inside the planes," Brandt said. "I was very impressed."

Grant thanked Master Sgts. James Wagner and Michael Dwight, along with Tech. Sgts. Guillermo Rodriguez, Michael Klucar and Staff Sgt. Clinton Harris of the 362nd Training Squadron for explaining how the aircraft worked and interacting with the students. 

"It was pretty awesome how they were able to help out at the last minute," Grant said.
 
Brandt hopes that the tour opened up the kids' minds to how the military can play a positive role in their lives.

"A lot more kids are interested in the military now," Brandt said. "Hopefully it will inspire them to join or give back to their country somehow."