JEFFERSON – Over the summer, Jefferson Area High School Guidance Counselor Lisa Paul took part in the Air Force Recruiting Service’s (AFRS) Distinguished Educator’s Tour.
The 17th Training Wing partnered with the Air Force Recruiting Service to host the Distinguished Educators’ Tour program from July 20-22 in San Angelo, Texas, at Goodfellow Air Force Base.
“I first heard of this program back in April. I received an email from Sgt. Thaddeus [Tyson], our local Air Force recruiter. He reached out asking if he could nominate me for this opportunity, and I gladly obliged,” Paul said.
She was excited for a shot to take part in the program.
“I was very thankful that my nomination was picked. I love learning and experiencing new things. The more I learn, the more I can pass that information about experiences on to students,” Paul said.
Prior to the email from Sgt. Tyson, Paul had not been familiar with the program.
“I know other branches of the military host simulation events to see what it is like for a newly enlisted member, but I was not aware of this program hosted by the Air Force,” Paul said.
The Distinguished Educators’ Tour is an annual event designed to build a strong network of recruiting champions among teachers, school counselors, administrators and other educators by visiting a military installation for two days, providing firsthand insight into military trainees’ daily operations, readiness and educational opportunities.
“My time in Texas was jam-packed from the moment I arrived at 6 p.m. to the time it ended Wednesday evening. There were 26 educators there in total – most of us were school counselors from around the country. We heard from different Deputy Commanders and Colonels. That was neat because they loved that we were there; hearing their story of the path they chose and how it led them to where they are today was interesting and showed us just how many avenues there are in the Air Force,” Paul said.
The educators toured Goodfellow Air Force Base, learning about the different missions within the base.
“It really operated like a small city. The Goodfellow Medical Group Mission was a place where we spent a good amount of time. They are essentially a med clinic offering everything from optometry, to pharmacy, to immunizations to primary care and more. The Medical Group keeps the airmen healthy and ready to be deployed if need be,” Paul said.
Later that day, the educators visited with the 17th Mission Support Group.
“Here we were briefed on a number of career fields open within the Air Force. This was truly eye opening and one of my favorite parts of the events. So many of the jobs within the Air Force will lead to great careers outside in the civilian world if one chooses to leave the Air Force,” Paul said.
The next day the group spent a good deal of time outside observing and learning about various programs.
“The Goodfellow Air Force Base houses the Garland Fire Academy – it is where all Airmen training to be a firefighter go to train. We were able to observe various training exercises for fire science. Next we were able to observe and learn about different jobs within Security Forces and watched several demonstrations,” Paul shared.
Later in the day, they experienced what it would be like on a base in the Middle East.
“We were equipped with gear and learned about the various jobs on a base outside of the country,” Paul said.
She said the program was a full two days packed with knowledge of all different aspects within the Air Force.
“I enjoyed so much about this experience – the only downside was how fast it all went. I enjoyed meeting educators from around the country. I particularly liked meeting and talking with a high-school counselor from Hawaii,” Paul said. “It is always great to hear how other schools, and in this case, states, operate in the world of education and how many of the issues out there are issues we all face,” Paul said.
Paul said if she had to pick a favorite moment, it would be talking with Airmen currently enlisted who were at Goodfellow for their Tech School training.
“Hearing about their experiences, what they have learned, the doors of opportunity that are opening for them, it was great, especially because they were a lot like normal, everyday teenagers that I work with currently. Seeing the enlisted Airmen made it real for me,” Paul said.
Paul said she plans to take what she learned and share the opportunities that are available with students.
“Many people have the preconceived notion that everyone that joins the military is going to the frontlines armed with a gun, and that is not the case at all. One job I didn’t think about being highly sought after in the military is the Linguist Program. They are in desperate need of linguists in all branches of the military. This program is very difficult to get accepted into, but it also can come with bonuses because there is such a shortage at this time,” Paul said.
Paul encourages interested students to come talk with her, and she can get them in contact with a recruiter as well as set them up to take the ASVAB exam at school.
“The benefits and opportunities that the military offers are vast and definitely not widely known,” Paul said.
