AFPC Airman takes citizenship oath at local military salute gala Published Nov. 14, 2013 By Janis El Shabazz Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- In December 2012, Artchelle Castro, a native of the Philippines, raised his hand and pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Nov. 6, 2013 Airman 1st Class Artchelle Castro repeated that pledge, this time to become a U.S. citizen. Castro, an Air Force Personnel Center personnel specialist, was honored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce during the 43rd Annual Celebrate America's Military dinner and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. "I feel very lucky to be honored in this way," said Castro. "Taking my oath and getting to speak in front of such a prestigious crowd at the same time was a turning point in my career. Taking my oath as a new Airman made it just that much more special." Following his oath, Castro addressed the CAM audience, delivering a speech that Col. Joseph Atkins, AFPC operations division chief called "simply awesome!" "He hit a chord of pride and those of us in attendance - mayors, general officers and combat veterans from every branch of service dating back to World War II - felt fortunate to hear his words that night," said Atkins. "We were on our feet throughout his captivating speech. It sounded like we were at a pep rally with applause at every pause. Even the hotel staff stopped to listen to our Airman's speech." "We have naturalization ceremonies all the time," said Jeff Neal, San Antonio U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office. An Air Force retiree, Neal conceived the idea to have an Air Force member take the oath of citizenship at the CAM dinner, rather than in his office where the oath is usually administered. Although the USCIS regional office in Dallas received numerous nominations, something about Castro made him stand out. "Airman Castro made a positive impression, not only because he is a sharp military member but because his path to citizenship was most compelling," said Brad Wilson, USCIS Dallas public affairs officer. Raised by his grandmother while his mother sought work in Saudi Arabia, Castro was reunited with his mother when he was 12. After she met and married a U.S. citizen, the family settled in New York. After high school graduation and five years of uninspiring jobs, he decided to join the Air Force. "I was looking for money to go to college when I decided to give the Air Force a try," Castro said. "I saw it as a way to give back to my new country by becoming a more productive person and honoring the lessons my stepfather, a veteran of the Vietnam War, taught me about the obligation of citizenship and pride." In joining the Air Force, he gained family because, he said, the Air Force core values replicate ideals his family has taught him since birth. "Since his arrival in April, Castro has been an exceptional Airman," said Staff Sgt. Lavon Tucker, Castro's supervisor. "He finished his career development courses ahead of time, he is always the first one to raise his hand to volunteer and his conduct and professionalism are models for other Airmen to emulate." Castro sees his role as an Airman as a responsibility he's happy to embrace. "I know that by becoming an Airman and an American citizen, I have inherited a great deal of responsibility, but that does not weigh heavy on me," said Castro. "To me, this means that I can, with deep devotion to duty, stand side-by-side and serve honorably with my fellow wingmen. I am an American Airman!" For information about becoming a naturalized citizen, go to http://www.uscis.gov/ . For information about personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil .