October Featured Airman of the month Published Oct. 13, 2012 By Senior Airman Nick Carzis 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- This October's Airman of the month is Airman 1st Class Monique Torres, the newest addition to the 146th Airlift Wing's finance office. We caught up with Torres to find out a little more about herself and what her future will hold. 1. When did you enlist in the Air Force, how long have you been in the service? My service with the military began when I enlisted on Superbowl Sunday! Feb. 5, 2012 2. What motivated you to enlist in the Air Force? Service to country was instilled in me as a child; I have wanted to join the military ever since. 3. How has being an Airman changed your point of view on life? It has broadened the scope of my own potential. The Air Force has given me career and life opportunities I never imagined would be mine. 4. What's the most important lesson you've learned in the military? During Basic Military Training my brother flight's military training instructor (Staff Sgt. Roberts) would from time to time cover for our own military training instructor and mentor our flight. Towards the end of our time there, one of the girls in my flight found out she was going to be separated from the Air Force for a food allergy 4 days from graduation (she had been waiting to hear about the results of her testing for weeks). We were all heartbroken for her as serving in the Air Force was her dream; she had come so close and it was now gone. She would not be allowed to graduate though she had made it through it all. Staff Sgt. Roberts told her to keep her head up, take it day by day and realize that "no" doesn't always mean "no". You have to believe in your own value and capabilities and never settle for less than what you know you can obtain. That day he and the Superintendent of the Squadron went to bat for our sister with higher-ups. He came back the next day with news that the previous decision was overturned (because of Staff Sgt. Roberts' efforts) and she would now be allowed to graduate with the flight. This would allow her to forego Basic Training again should she be able to have her food allergy waived. She graduated as an Honor Grad on June 15th with our Flight, 400. 5. What is your favorite part/memory about the Air Force? So far, my favorite memory was our time during BEAST week. Going out on chalk missions (owning) and winning BEAST excellence. My favorite part of the AF is meeting all the wonderful people that make up this outstanding branch of the military. 6. If you could deploy anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd go straight to the front lines if I could. 7. If you could choose any Air Force job, which would it be? Why? I think I'd try anything that would allow me to air travel frequently. I love to visit new places. 8. Where did you grow up? Sunland, CA 9. What is your civilian job? I am working with the ANG fulltime now but I formerly worked at Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor as the Human Resources Training and Development Supervisor. 10. What are your hobbies? Running, going to the gym, drawing, going to the beach 11. What would people be surprised to know about you? I learned how to box and did so for 5 years as a teenager. 12. Where do you hope your Air Force experiences lead you in life? Travel as much as possible and learn plenty from the incredible men and women of the United States military.
October Featured Airman of the month Published Oct. 13, 2012 By Senior Airman Nick Carzis 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- This October's Airman of the month is Airman 1st Class Monique Torres, the newest addition to the 146th Airlift Wing's finance office. We caught up with Torres to find out a little more about herself and what her future will hold. 1. When did you enlist in the Air Force, how long have you been in the service? My service with the military began when I enlisted on Superbowl Sunday! Feb. 5, 2012 2. What motivated you to enlist in the Air Force? Service to country was instilled in me as a child; I have wanted to join the military ever since. 3. How has being an Airman changed your point of view on life? It has broadened the scope of my own potential. The Air Force has given me career and life opportunities I never imagined would be mine. 4. What's the most important lesson you've learned in the military? During Basic Military Training my brother flight's military training instructor (Staff Sgt. Roberts) would from time to time cover for our own military training instructor and mentor our flight. Towards the end of our time there, one of the girls in my flight found out she was going to be separated from the Air Force for a food allergy 4 days from graduation (she had been waiting to hear about the results of her testing for weeks). We were all heartbroken for her as serving in the Air Force was her dream; she had come so close and it was now gone. She would not be allowed to graduate though she had made it through it all. Staff Sgt. Roberts told her to keep her head up, take it day by day and realize that "no" doesn't always mean "no". You have to believe in your own value and capabilities and never settle for less than what you know you can obtain. That day he and the Superintendent of the Squadron went to bat for our sister with higher-ups. He came back the next day with news that the previous decision was overturned (because of Staff Sgt. Roberts' efforts) and she would now be allowed to graduate with the flight. This would allow her to forego Basic Training again should she be able to have her food allergy waived. She graduated as an Honor Grad on June 15th with our Flight, 400. 5. What is your favorite part/memory about the Air Force? So far, my favorite memory was our time during BEAST week. Going out on chalk missions (owning) and winning BEAST excellence. My favorite part of the AF is meeting all the wonderful people that make up this outstanding branch of the military. 6. If you could deploy anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd go straight to the front lines if I could. 7. If you could choose any Air Force job, which would it be? Why? I think I'd try anything that would allow me to air travel frequently. I love to visit new places. 8. Where did you grow up? Sunland, CA 9. What is your civilian job? I am working with the ANG fulltime now but I formerly worked at Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor as the Human Resources Training and Development Supervisor. 10. What are your hobbies? Running, going to the gym, drawing, going to the beach 11. What would people be surprised to know about you? I learned how to box and did so for 5 years as a teenager. 12. Where do you hope your Air Force experiences lead you in life? Travel as much as possible and learn plenty from the incredible men and women of the United States military.