Groundhog Job Shadow Day gives students glimpse into future

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The sun rises at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, as a military training instructor methodically checks one Airman after another during an open ranks inspection.

Across the world at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, an F-15E Strike Eagle takes off to perform its mission.

For members of the U.S. Air Force, this is an everyday occurrence. The technical sergeant performing open ranks and the captain taking off on his mission are just doing their job, however different from the every day jobs it may be.

Students from area schools got a chance to catch a glimpse of that world today as part of the 11th Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day program. Thirty-three students from 11 different schools visited Sheppard to get a greater grasp on their prospective careers.

The students were matched up with Sheppard personnel based on what they wanted to be when they "grew up." While some wanted to be pilots or aircraft maintainers, others were paired up based on jobs such as firefighting or being a drill instructor.

"This is a great opportunity," said 1st. Lt. Dan Summers, an instructor pilot with the 90th Flying Training Squadron and job shadow volunteer. "I wish I had it when I was in high school."

Cassie Crawford, a junior from Petrolia High School, spent the day with Tech Sgt. William Oxford, a military training leader with 82nd Training Wing training operations.

Sergeant Oxford was a former Military Training Instructor at Lackland, and Ms. Crawford expressed interest in joining the Air Force and one day becoming an MTI herself.

"My brother joined the Air Force and went to (basic military training) and came back a totally different person," she said. "I met some of his instructors and saw how they change lives; I want to change lives, too."

She didn't know it at the time, but Sergeant Oxford was one of her brother's MTIs when he attended BMT.

"He told me he didn't like him, but that he did respect him," Ms. Crawford quipped.

"Being an MTI is the pinnacle of being in the enlisted force," Sergeant Oxford said. "If a TI does their job correctly, they'll always remember them. I know I still remember mine."

On the other side of Sheppard, students spent the day seeing what it was like to be a military pilot at the 80th Flying Training Wing.

For some like Eleise Burns, a senior at Olney High School, the experience gave her a glimpse at what she hopes to be doing sometime soon. Ms. Burns plans on enlisting in the U.S. Navy upon graduating and eventually becoming an officer. From there she hopes to be accepted into pilot training.

Ohers, like City View High School junior Diana Zylstra, were given the chance to eliminate a potential job from their list of possibilities.

Ms. Zylstra, had initially planned on becoming a pilot, but said she now realizes it's not for her.

"It's not something I'm going to pursue," she said. "But it was nice to get a feel for what I'll be missing out on."