WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. - -- Military members are an impressive bunch of people, and 23 local civic leaders found that out at Westover before they even boarded the C-5 for Colorado Springs on April 23.
The two-day agenda to the Air Force Academy, Schriever Air Force Base and Peterson AFB promoted an education theme for an audience of mostly school superintendents, mayors, school committee members, principals, and guidance counselors from six cities and towns.
Two Westover teachers-in-uniform were invited as tour escorts, and fellow educators were stunned as they heard the introductions to Master Sgt. Christopher Lane and Staff Sgt. Leah O'Leary, teachers in Springfield and Agawam respectively.
Sergeant Lane works at Westover's education office, but also has a four-year degree in history, a masters degree in education, and two Community College of the Air Force associates degrees.
Sergeant O'Leary is medical administrator with the 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and holds bachelor's degrees in Spanish and Urban Studies, has a master's degree in Spanish linguistics, speaks several languages, and learned Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif.
During the tour, civic leaders found such impressive credentials to be more common than rare.
"I've always seen the uniform, but now I understand better who is in the uniform," said Marjorie Wojcik, Chicopee school committee member for 24 years. "We need to have military people speaking in our schools and at our school committee meetings!"
The Air Force Academy provided the expected "wow factor" as attendees saw the nation's best in action, and the incredible research and engineering projects they produce.
The educators proved to be a very interactive audience and peppered the speakers with questions about tapping inner city kids and how to improve math and science scores. Ironically, it was the character emphasis that most impacted the civic visitors. The honor code states: "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Curtis Price, new director of Westover Job Corps, plans to implement similar character training, and said it brings young people a greater sense of honor and pride to live by principles.
Westover's wing commander, Col. Robert Swain, could personally attest to the Academy's value in training young cadets, as he is a 1979 graduate. He also represents the superior accomplishments found in so many reservists, but not often highlighted. Colonel Swain's celebrity status at the Academy was revealed during a visit to the static A-10A Thunderbolt II "Chopper Popper" bearing his name. Civic leaders gathered around to hear the details of his air-to-air takedown of an Iraqi helicopter during a combat mission in 1991. "Seeing his jet mounted in the park said a lot about the Armed Forces respect for his accomplishments... and hearing so many officers greet him with, 'It's a privilege to meet you, sir,'" said Chicopee Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette. "It really opened my eyes."
The second day began with a visit to the high-security Schriever AFB, which hosts the first and only Reserve space wing, the 310th. Following a wing briefing, the group split to visit the 19th and 6th Space Operations Squadrons which fly and maintain Global Positioning and Weather satellites, respectively. The civic leaders became spectators as 19th SOPS reservists barked information back and forth to Guam to fix a real-time satellite issue. Educators were stunned by the honed technical skills of such a young military force. Tech. Sgt. Rigoberto Nunez, satellite systems operator, explained his job and related his story to the group. "I had no guidance through high school. The Air Force gave me direction," he said. "I never imagined I could work in the space program and make such a difference."
A bus ride back to Peterson AFB extended the Air Force Reserve and Air Force mission to homeland security with a NORAD/NORTHCOM (North American Aerospace Command/U.S. Northern Command) briefing, before heading out to see the 302nd AW's C-130 aerial firefighting squadron, and then onto the C-5 for the flight home.
"The trip exceeded my expectations," said Shirley Alvira, Westfield Public Schools Superintendent. "You see the uniform, you hear media coverage, but this gave me an in depth understanding of how the military is taking care of our nation's security." She said the trip also gives her credibility to encourage high school principals to entrust kids to the Air Force - and all the opportunities.
Educators said they had no idea how important student ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) scores were to military career choices. They also had no idea of the diversity of career options, and the depth of career-specific training and leadership courses that are a part of every military member's progression.
After observing the integrity, military bearing, and discipline at every stop in the tour, several civic leaders said they would consider military experience as a hiring plus - and many more invited Westover representatives to speak in their schools and at the school committee meetings.
One even said that it deepened his pride in being a U.S. citizen.
Mayor Bissonnette said it helped local civic leaders see how Westover fits in nationally and globally, and not just for our own local economic impact. "It also gave us a 'boots-on-the-ground' feel to be in a military community like Colorado Springs," he said.
Holyoke Mayor Michael J. Sullivan was amazed by the dual role of many reservists, like the local and state police officers that were also C-5 aircrew members. "I never really considered how the Air Force Reserve brings so much additional experience to produce such a well-rounded person," Mayor Sullivan said. "The trip was really inspiring."