Page 1 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, May 4 2018
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Vol. 11, No. 5 Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base May 2018
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INSIDE
STORIES
ï® AFRC awards RQG fi-
nance, 3
ï® Golf course closes, 4
ï® AFAF helps for 45 years, 5
ï® CES exercises, 8
ï® CES thwarts OG, 12
ï® Remembering F-117, 14
FEATURE
Staff Sgt. Shane Berger, 755th Operational Support Squadron airborne linguist, poses for a photo April 19 at Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base. Berger was accepted into a program to complete the preparatory coursework for admission to medical school while
Airman to attend medical degree prepmaintainingactive-dutystatus.
Airman 1st Class Frankie Moore Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Additionally, after 12 years, Berger had to course of a year was a big challenge for me;
MICHAEL BEYER prepare for and retake the ACT test. however, I was able to successfully complete
SERVICE BEFORE SELF it, and it has prepared me for the workload
See Page 10 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs “It’s funny you forget how to divide frac- that is soon to follow,†Berger said.
tions, those simple things you haven’t done
Continue to get Davis-Monthan Staff Sgt. Shane Berger, airborne linguist since you’ve taken the class,†Berger said. At a crossroad in his career field, and with his
Air Force Base latest news with the 755th Operational Support Squadron, contract almost up, Berger took the plunge and
and information from these was one of nine enlisted Airmen selected to The two-year EMDP2 program will accepted the challenge to train to become a doctor.
attend a medical degree preparatory course. transfer Berger on permanent change of sta-
sources: http://www.aerotech- tion orders to Bethesda, Maryland. This is “It’s time for me to move on to a position
news.com/davis-monthanafb The Enlisted to Medical Degree Prepa- where he will attend school full-time at the with more responsibility and maybe have a
ratory Program gives selected Airmen an Uniformed Services University of Health little bit more overarching viewpoint of the
and social media opportunity to complete the preparatory Sciences. Through the program all tuition Air Force in general,†Berger said.
coursework for admission to medical school and associated academic costs are funded by
Desert Lightning News while maintaining active-duty status. the Air Force. Following successful comple- Berger’s passion for learning and his core
tion of the program, graduates will apply for principals of goodwill to others and civic duty
Date of publication Berger found out about the program just acceptance to the USUHS medical school as drove him to apply to the program and will
over a year ago when he overheard other well as civilian medical schools. continue to drive him to successfully complete it.
First Friday Airmen discussing it. He instantly knew
this is what he wanted to pursue. While daunting, Berger has a strong pas- “I’ve always been somebody to discover
of the month sion for learning and education. new things, and the alluring thing about
Submission deadline “Prior to enlisting, the medical path was the medical program in a military sense is
kind of an unrealistic goal for me as some- “I’ve always felt that school is a comfortable, an altruistic endeavor,†he said.
15th day of the month body that has always had to support myself,†safe and enjoyable environment for me, and
Berger said. “This program opened a path I I’m prepared to sacrifice myself for the benefit Upon successfully completing EMDP2 and
prior to date of publication never thought possible.†of not only personal growth but also for the becoming an Air Force doctor, Berger will be
amount of investment that the Air Force has able to provide medical treatment to Airmen
Veterans The lengthy application process took and will continue to put into me,†he said. in need. In addition to being able to help his
Berger approximately a year to complete, fellow Airmen in a physical capacity, Berger
Tell us Your Story and included gathering required documents Berger’s enlistedAFSC’s strong focus on educa- also hopes he can inspire them in a broader,
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees as well as collecting letters of recommenda- tion has prepared him for the challenge to come. holistic sense, so ultimately, they will aspire
All military branches are included tion and personal statements. to realize their highest ambitions.
Email name, phone number and a “Learning a foreign language over the
brief description of your service to
deborah.leuthold@us.af.mil
