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Checking in with the 'First Year Five'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  About the First Year Five series: This series follows the first year of enlistment for five Airmen--all who come from diverse social backgrounds and who are learning to perform a wide variety of duties. Is military life what they expected? Are they adjusting well to the work demands? Follow along in the "Command Post," and on the blog at www.FirstYearFive.Wordress.com.

Have you learned anything new?

Airman 1st Class Lauren Morales: I am learning how to drive thanks to a co-worker of mine. I have lived overseas all my life so I have had no need to drive. I hope to have my driver's license by the end of this summer.

Airman 1st Class Josh Eikren: I have been learning my job, recently received my CDC's, so I am studying for my volume one test.

Have you received any new responsibilities at work?

Airman 1st Class Nicholas McCarty: I have been asked to sponsor a new first-term Airman who will be working in the same career field and building as me. I look at it as a good experience to help someone out and to make the best first impression as I can. I know how it was when I first arrived and I will do everything I can to help him have the best experience at Scott possible.

Have you surpassed any goals recently?

McCarty: A personal goal I achieved that is not work related, but something I found to be very difficult is that I completed the 60 day "insanity workout" program. After completing that I now feel the need to get a 100 percent on my PT before the summer is over.

Do you have any new goals?

Morales: I have been running at least three miles a day to train to compete in an upcoming Chicago 10K and St. Louis Rock'n'Roll half marathon this fall. I am participating with a team of friends and co-workers.

McCarty: My goals are to finish my CDC's and get Airman Below the Zone.

Has anything exciting happened to you in the past three months?

Airman 1st Class Tiffany Blake: I was on bay orderly and while cleaning the dorms, I received the chance to change dorm rooms. I am now in a bigger dorm room.

Morales: I volunteered to be a Cadre for a week during the annual Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps camp on base. I learned how to call commands and gained leadership skills. It also gave me a new perspective on my career field.

What are your plans this summer?

Morales: In August I am participating with my flight in a base fitness challenge, which will be fun. I also plan on visiting my parents in Incirlik, Turkey for three weeks. It will be my first time in Turkey. I lived in Europe for the majority of my life.

Blake: I am going to go home to Hawaii to visit my family, which will be exciting. I recently bought my plane ticket. I have not been home in almost two years.

McCarty: I plan on doing recruiters assistance in August for two weeks. It will give me a chance to go back home to Pennsylvania and visit my family. This summer so far I have showed my brother around St. Louis during a visit, I also took a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with a group of my friends that go there every year, and I have traveled to Chicago for a friend's wedding.

Eikren: I plan on saving money, so me and my wife can afford a winter vacation.

If you had to give advice to a new Airman what would it be?

Morales: To make them most of your assignment, don't mope and stay in your room it will only make you miserable and you will not progress in your career.

Blake: Make friends with someone you can relate to and who share same interests. It will make you feel less home sick.

Eikren: Focus on your job and volunteering, it will only help you progress in your career. But also do not forget about your family.

McCarty: My advice is try things, take chances, and do not be afraid to see what experiences you can have. It's easy to just get to your new base/ location and only make friends with people in your squadron. It takes an effort to step up and take advantage of new opportunities when you see something that you might not normally do. Being in the military we have the chance to do a lot of different/unique things.