SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Smith 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 7 aerospace propulsion instructor and native of Orlando, Florida, has been in the Air Force for 10 years and seven months, and is the Instructor of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of Oct. 25-31, 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
- Received his Community College of the Air Force degree in aviation maintenance technology.
- Achieved 69 hours toward Bachelors of Arts in healthcare administration.
- Was awarded his Community College of the Air Force Instructor Certification level two.
- Before enlisting, he finished his corrections officer school and worked at a max security prison.
Airman’s story:
Smith was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. His first job was on a chicken farm, which could have been the foundation for his fervent work ethic. He later went on to work as a corrections officer in the psychiatric ward of a maximum-security prison. When he turned 26, Smith was at a point in his life where he wanted to have a higher sense of purpose and decided to enlist in the Air Force.
He is married with three children – a boy and two girls between the ages of 11 and 13. His new hobby since being stationed at Hurlburt Field is shark fishing. The biggest prize so far was over seven and a half feet long. Smith would like to achieve his Bachelor’s degree and attain the instructional achievement award.
Supervisor comments:
“Staff Sergeant Smith’s dedication to the detachment has led to him teaching more than 2,500 hours over his three year tenure,” said TSgt Matthew Ashmore, Engine Instructor. “He co-authored the C-130J Engine Run Initial Qualification class as well as spearheaded procurement toward obtaining $1.5 million propulsion equipment training aids. Staff Sergeant Smith coordinated inter-command training for C-130J engine certification run to provide Pope Air Force Base with its first certified technician.”