Perfect Score

Airman 1st Class William A. Espino, 361st Training Squadron aerospace ground equipment technician, troubleshoots electrical malfunctions on a C-5 Galaxy air conditioner trainer. Espino earned the ACE award at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 28, 2014, by scoring a 100 percent average through 17 blocks of instruction. The California native is the first in 15 years to maintain a 100 percent grade point average in 15 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath)

Airman sets standard with perfect score

Published March 4, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An Airmen graduated as the first aerospace ground equipment apprentice student to earn the ACE award in 15 years.

Airman 1st Class William A. Espino received the ACE award Feb. 28 during a graduation ceremony for the 361st Training Squadron's aerospace ground equipment apprentice course. ACE awards are presented for maintaining a 100 percent GPA throughout the course.

The 95 academic day course consists of 17 different blocks and spans more than five and a half months.

"We have one of the highest attrition rates on base," said Tech. Sgt Brandon K. Holt, a 361st TRS assistant instructor supervisor and Espino's section three instructor. "To get this far through all 17 blocks with a perfect 100 percent average and not miss a single question is probably the most impressive thing I've ever seen here in my three and a half years."

"I didn't know if I actually would get the ACE (award)," Espino said. "I figured realistically there was a good chance I wouldn't, but I wanted to strive for it regardless."

Espino took advantage of his understanding of the course material by helping those in his class who didn't grasp the material as quick as he did. "With enough drive and enough focus, anyone could do it," he said. "If I can, anyone can."

He took the Air Force's core value "excellence in all we do" and applied it to his work ethic from day one.

"He gave us everything he had every single day," Holt said.

The Lompoc, Calif., native, whose first assignment is at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., plans to build on his success in technical training by doing the very best he can at his Guard unit.