AFSC team offers youth career inspiration

  • Published
  • By Angela Startz
  • AFSC/PA
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  

Eighteen members of the Alpha Boys Institute traveled to the Air Force Sustainment Center Headquarters to meet with commander Lt. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins, Chief Master Sergeant Beth Ferrer and other members of headquarter staff to learn more about career planning and opportunities within the Air Force.

The young men, who range in age from 13 to 15 years old, each introduced themselves, stating their name, school, and career plans. Following their introduction, each was treated to a one-on-one dialogue with the commander of the largest center in the Air Force Materiel Command. During this interaction, Hawkins also encouraged the young men to have an alternate plan and to surround themselves with the people who would help them achieve whatever their goals were. One young man, with plans to join a different military branch, was persuaded by Hawkins to sit in the commander’s chair and see what leading in the U.S. Air Force would be like.

Following the meeting, the group proceeded to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, where commander Brig. Gen. Brian Moore and Senior Master Sgt. Arik Wexler explained what the complex is and what they do.

The young men traveled to a KC-135 that is in the process of being sustained by the complex, giving them a hands-on experience with one of the stars of Tinker Air Force Base. Team leaders guided them through the aircraft, explaining how the different parts of the plane were removed and refreshed before being sent back into the air to refuel aircraft around the world.

As the institute members departed, they talked about how big the facility was and how cool it was to be able to visit.  The visit is part of the GO-Inspire program, where general officers meet with area youth to recruit the next generation of Airmen and Guardians, established in 2021 to increase recruitment numbers.

The Air Force Sustainment Center is the premiere organization in the world that provides weapon system sustainment and logistics readiness through depot maintenance, repair and modification. More information is available at afsc.af.mil.