Command post controller headed to Academy Published June 21, 2007 By SrA. Mark Orders-Woempner 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- Going above and beyond, one Grissom Airmen is making his dreams of greatness come true as he prepares to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Senior Airman Christopher Danielson, 434th Air Refueling Wing command post controller, was recently selected to attend the school on his path the U.S. Air Force Academy. Airman Danielson said he never dreamed he would one day be readying for the academy. "Initially I joined the Air Force Reserve to get help with college and serve," he said. "I've always wanted to be in the military." Airman Danielson was selected by Lt. Col. Stephen Mather, command post operations officer, to be put in for an academy appointment based off the Airman's military service thus far. "Colonel Mather brought up the idea of me going to the academy through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program," stated Airman Danielson. LEAD allows commanders to seek outstanding and deserving qualified Airmen for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship programs. "The thing I love about Chris is I can identify a need and 6 months down the road, he will bring me a completed product," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Withrow, command post superintendent. "He requires no supervision and he does everything to the best of his ability." Before attending the academy, Airman Danielson must attend the preparatory school. The prep school mission is to motivate, prepare, and evaluate selected candidates in an academic, military, moral, and physical environment, to perform successfully and enhance diversity. "When you are put in prep school, you are typically enrolled in the Air Force Reserve and put on active duty status, but since I am already in the Reserve, I get to keep my rank," said the Airman. Academy cadets complete four years of studies leading to a bachelor of science degree. Emphasis is given to academics, military training, athletic conditioning, and spiritual and ethical development. Academics include classes in the basic sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and military art and science. Within this framework, all cadets complete a core curriculum consisting of 112 semester hours. They can specialize in any of 30 academic majors and 4 minors. When Airman Danielson told his family about his acceptance, they were really excited, he said. "When I told my mom she started crying out of happiness," he recounted. "No one from my family has ever done anything like this." Those who work with him in the command post are also excited, but are finding it hard to let one of their best go. "I have mixed emotions because I know that this means Chris is going to be gone from our command post forever and he is nothing short of being a super trooper and we will feel the loss, but it will be for the greater good," said Sergeant Withrow. "The Air Force, overall, will gain a tremendous asset." Sergeant Withrow added he plans to keep track of Airman Danielson throughout his Air Force career. "Having the academy feather in his cap will help him rise through the ranks," he said. "I honestly could see him as a wing commander some day." And Airman Danielson is very excited, not only about his Air Force career, but what this opportunity will lead to beyond the military. "Since I found out I was going, my head has been swimming with the possibilities I have in front of me," he said. "There are so many things that I want to do, and the Air Force Academy is the way to get there; there's no doubt about that." Looking back on his past, Airman Danielson attributes his opportunity to the Air Force Reserve. "I definitely would not have had the opportunity to go into the academy if I didn't join the Reserve," he said. "And now, with this as a stepping stone, I want to reach out beyond the Air Force; I want to become bigger because of this."
