5 summer intern positions placed at Headquarters AMC Published Aug. 31, 2016 By Brooke Lorig Air Mobility Command SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In early spring, the Civilian Personnel Office on Scott Air Force Base put a base-wide call out to solicit interest in the 2016 Summer Internship Program. Eager to answer the call, Maj. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, authorized five summer intern positions to be placed within the Directorate of Operations, or A3, Headquarters AMC. Prior to bringing the summer interns on-board, Martinez met with his staff and directed them to not only put the interns to work, but to give them the best, most influential, and educational experience of their summer—and they delivered! Upon arrival in the A3, the summer interns were introduced to the directorate’s leadership and immersed in all things A3. They attended staff meetings, newcomer’s orientation, studied the A3 SmartBook, and toured the directorate. Once familiar with the directorate, the interns were strategically placed based-on their field of study. For instance, Alex Winston, a full-time student studying business at Waldorf University, was placed with the Executive Administration office while Katelyn Medina, a full-time student studying criminal justice and psychology at Lindenwood University, was placed with the Aircrew and Training division. Aside from their daily assigned workloads, the interns attended briefings, workshops, and tours at various organizations around base. Medina recalls a memorable event which occurred during her employment as an intern in the Directorate of Operations: “My most memorable event was when the other interns and I were able to fly a full-motion KC-135 flight simulator. I have never experienced being in the pilot’s seat, and this experience gave me a new appreciation for their hard work in keeping our country safe.” The KC-135 simulator is located at the 126th Air Refueling Wing. Pilots from across the country conduct their annual training requirements in the very simulator Medina had the pleasure of flying. Overall, the Summer Internship Program was a huge success in the Directorate of Operations. The interns worked alongside seasoned professionals who provided superior mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and fostered diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The interns participated in a mock hiring panel and attended mentoring luncheons with senior leaders, such as Brig. Gen. Samuel C. Mahaney, Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters AMC. “Although it was sad to watch the interns head back to school, we watched them leave proudly, knowing we had a positive impact on their professional growth and perhaps enticed them to pursue a career as a service member or civilian in the United States Air Force,” said Terry L. Johnson, Director of Staff, Directorate of Operations, Headquarters AMC