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AFPC college intern program visits AFRC wing

U.S. Air Force Maj. Amy Tullis, 356th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, shakes hands with Kellea Elliott, an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program symposium attendee, while in the C5-M Super Galaxy cockpit during a tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Tullis used her 15 years of piloting experience to brief about the aircraft and answer questions from interns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Amy Tullis, 356th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, shakes hands with Kellea Elliott, an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program symposium attendee, while in the C5-M Super Galaxy cockpit during a tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Tullis, a civilian and military pilot with 15 years of experience, briefed about the aircraft and answered questions from interns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Duane Bryant, 356th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, discusses the landing gear of a C-5M Super Galaxy to an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program interns during a tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The interns will start a 12-week paid internship while serving throughout JBSA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Duane Bryant, 356th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, discusses the landing gear of a C-5M Super Galaxy to an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program interns during a tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The interns will start a 12-week paid internship while serving throughout JBSA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bryan Boyd, 356th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, gives a brief lesson to college students in what it takes to load a C-5M Super Galaxy during an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program symposium tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Tour members were able to handle chains and calculate requirements during the tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bryan Boyd, 356th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, gives a brief lesson to college students in what it takes to load a C-5M Super Galaxy during an Air Force Personnel Center Premier College Intern Program symposium tour to the 433rd Airlift Wing May 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Tour members were able to handle chains and calculate requirements during the tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --

About 60 college interns and Air Force Personnel Center personnel were recently welcomed to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing here May 16.

The students joined the 433rd AW commander, Col. Thomas K. Smith Jr., for a mission brief and explored the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft as part of their Premier College Intern Program symposium tour.

The students will start a 12-week paid internship while serving throughout Joint Base San Antonio and its various missions.

 “These tours give big perspective on the Air Force mission and how civilians support the (military members),” said Kristina Whitfield, Premier College Intern Program manager.  “Interns will be a part of our culture and see the faces of the people they support in what we do and how awesome it is.” “

The hand-picked intern selectees will gain important real-world experience through work on challenging and rewarding projects on military installations, she said.

The internship program uses tours such as the recent one to broaden military awareness for interns in how the military supports and defends the nation.

With only 0.4 percent of the United States population currently serving, the military as a whole can be an unknown entity for most people.

Lee D. Gerth, a future Public Key Infrastructure System Program Office (PKI SPO) intern, was enlightened during the field trip.

“This tour gives me some insight on how the Air Force works, how it’s run, and different aspects I didn’t know before,” he said. “I learned about rankings and different tools, such as the aircraft in how and why they are used.”

The more of the military students observe the more job options they find are available for their futures.

During the mission brief and aircraft tour, several interns expressed interest in ultimately having military careers as pilots or other well-regarded occupations.

Others are looking forward to the discovery of finding their niche.

 “I am part of an internship program that is starting my Air Force career,” said Amanda R. Bentley, a future intern as a Force Support Squadron classification assistant. “I don’t know my goal for the Air Force yet, but we’ll see where I fit.”

For more information: http://www.afpc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1398346/af-internships-help-young-professionals-gain-valuable-work-experience/

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