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20th SFS Airman earns Chief’s Group scholarship

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jefferey Sales
  • 20th Security Forces Squadron
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Editor’s Note: Senior Airman Jefferey Sales, 20th Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, earned a $250 scholarship from the Team Shaw Chief’s Group for the following essay in response to the prompt, “Each Airman is critical to the squadron, culture and the Air Force mission. More importantly, each one of us has a diverse story to tell. So tell us, what is your story?”

My influence in joining the military all began in college. I went straight into college after high school and didn’t do so well; my wife was pregnant while I was in college and because I had experience in the ROTC, I figured I would enlist to take care of my priorities.

I thought about special operations; however, this didn’t come to my benefit. I was disqualified at the military entrance processing station because my vision didn’t meet requirements. Fast forward in time, I’ve been in security forces for four years now. I am 10 courses away from my bachelor’s degree in psychology and three courses from my Community College of the Air Force associate degree in Criminal Justice.
I utilize my time well and I am able to balance it between military duties and extra-curricular activities: wing, squadron and community, physical fitness and family time. I am a busy Airman always striving for success. I’m adamant about physical fitness, consistently achieving excellent physical training scores for the past three years.

My ultimate goal is to commission in the military mental health field, thus enhancing my military career and establishing my aspiration to aid and assist. My father has suffered from depression since I was a young boy. Growing up with his annual events was tough to overcome. I am truly devoted to catering and providing for the well-being of the people that surround me. I am a caretaker at heart, there is no better career for me to achieve than to serve others in a field of interest that I genuinely care for.