Airmen share occupations at Knob Noster Middle School career fair

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  More than 25 representatives from Whiteman AFB volunteered to showcase their military occupation during a career fair with students at Knob Noster Middle School May 20.

Air Force Global Strike Command representatives brought gear and props associated with their mission to the fair. Classrooms were set up to share different skills and educational backgrounds to sixth, seventh and eighth graders and tailored them to their specific interests.

Tammy, a seventh grade student at Knob Noster Middle School, said she enjoyed all the Airmen's presentation, but her favorite demonstration was the combat arms instructor.

"I enjoyed when he let us handcuff each other and put on the bullet proof vest," she said. "It really got me interested in the military. It's cool some of things they get to do."

Staff Sgt. Jennifer Winkels, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of service contracts, said the day was very fulfilling interacting with the students.

"They really enjoyed the hands-on experience and using the survey equipment," Sergeant Winkels said. "It was great opportunity for the children to see us with their own eyes; working in a real world occupation that they might want to be later on in life."

Becky Axton, KNMS's counselor-in-training, said she is thankful and appreciates members from Whiteman AFB volunteering their time to make the career fair a big success.

"I feel lucky that our school is close to an Air Force base because Whiteman has contributed to our school in many ways throughout the years," she said. "My hope is that students learned options for their future in the way of goals, education, job choices, and that students have a renewed sense of purpose; what they are doing now, in and out of the classroom, really does impact and influence their future."

Christopher Hinote, 509th Bomb Wing computer cyber security specialist and presenter, said that as a father of a student at KNMS he was glad to see the diverse group of people, military and non-military, who were willing to share their backgrounds and hopefully encourage his daughter to strive harder in school to meet her goals.

Participants were from the following: 509th Bomb Wing, Security Forces Squadron, Force Support Squadron, Operations Support Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Munitions Squadron, Medical Operations Squadron, Civil Engineer Squadron and 131st Operations Support Flight.