Whiteman Warrior

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keenan Berry
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo --  Meet U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marco Cardenas, a pharmacy technician from the 509th Medical Support Squadron. He handles medications and prescriptions for patients. Cardenas was raised in South El Monte, California and has served three years in the Air Force.

"I love my job because I get to interact with customers," said Cardenas. "I gain no greater personal satisfaction from anything other than helping people. My role in the 509th MDSS gives me that opportunity every day."

Cardenas took time out of his day to sit with the 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office for a question and answer session.

Q. Why did you join the Air Force?

A. I finished high school in the high desert of California, where there is very little opportunity for success. I needed to learn a skill, and the Air Force was the perfect place. I spoke with a recruiter and left a few months after graduation.

Q. What are your thoughts about the bomber legacy?

A. Last year I had the opportunity to tour the B-2 and speak to some of the pilots. They asked me where I worked, and I was a bit embarrassed to tell them I was only a pharmacy technician. One of them said "Wow, I'm not sure what exactly you guys give us for our missions, but we definitely couldn't do it without you." Since that day, I understood how big of a role the 509th Medical Group plays in Whiteman's strategic deterrence and global power and combat support mission.

Q. What are your personal goals?

A. I'm nearly finished with my bachelor's degree in psychology, so that is on my to-do list. One day, I'd like to become a military training instructor for the Air Force.

The Whiteman community congratulates Cardenas for earning the 2015 Air Force Global Strike Command Outstanding Honor Guardsman of the Year award as he continues to perform his duties as a pharmacy technician.