Photo By Randall Burlingame | Lieutenant Colonel Mark Guerber, detachment commander for University of Massachusetts...... read more read more
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BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts – Second Lieutenant Nicolle Mathison achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, Feb. 7, 2019, during a commissioning ceremony held here.
Mathison recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst Reserve Officer Training Corps.
“All I knew is that I wanted to be an officer,” said Mathison. “My dad was navigator. I just grew up seeing him as an officer, so I knew I wanted to be an officer.”
Mathison is leaving the 104th Mission Support for Nellis Air Force Base, where she will serve as a public affairs officer.
“I could get emotional, because I finally found my place,” Mathison said “It feels good. It feels surreal”
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Guerber, detachment commander for University of Massachusetts in Amherst Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 370, spoke at the ceremony and commended Mathison for staying dedicated while working at the 104th FW full-time, going school, and serving as the cadet wing commander.
“The Air Force, and really any organization, needs people who can solve tough challenges,” said Guerber. “You’re going to need to take that grit with you. I think you’re going to make an awesome officer.”
Having experience as an enlisted member of the Air National Guard helped Mathison keep a level head throughout her journey, she said. Serving as the cadet wing commander also taught her some valuable lessons.
“It taught me how to really take care of my people, how to listen to their needs, and that their success will always translate into the bigger success of the mission,” said Mathison. “Iron sharpens iron. I honestly feel like I couldn’t have reached the level of wisdom and learned how to work under pressure if it wasn’t for my classmates.”
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2019 11:14 |
| Story ID: | 310183 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, US |
| Web Views: | 396 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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