22nd OSS Airman earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating the Air Force's Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Staff Sgt. Charles Geiser, 22nd Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment continuation training instructor, received the spotlight performer the week of Dec. 6 - 12.

Geiser's duties include overseeing the squadron's $29 million program, which impacts more than 50 aircraft and almost 600 aircrews. He also conducts aircrew ground training courses for 22nd Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Group personnel.

"Charlie is an exceptional Airman that gives his all at every opportunity," said Capt. Ben Hedges, 22nd OSS AFE flight commander. "He exemplifies service and excellence; whether it's leading training for the flight, his unparalleled skills managing our information systems or the steadfast and unique contributions he gives to the community."

Geiser joined the Air Force in 2005 and has been at McConnell since September 2011. His hobbies include cosplaying, designing costumes and games, editing videos and writing.

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
My fiancée Kate and good friend Ryan do their best to keep me grounded in reality while simultaneously encouraging me to keep moving forward.

If you could give advice to a new Airman, what would it be and why?
Don't let life scare you from trying something new. Do what you want to do, chase whatever dream is in the back of your mind, and surround yourself with people who support you in that endeavor. The excuses that you tell yourself are just that: excuses. So what if you mess up? No one started out amazing from the get go. You will never know until you fail at it several times. You are learning what not to do.

What is one goal that you have already accomplished, or would like to accomplish, during your Air Force career? 
My goal before I get out of the Air Force is to have enough money put away, enough contacts made and enough places visited to either start my own gaming company or have enough say in the industry to tell the stories in my head with a AAA company backing and bankrolling my ideas. 

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way? 
Hands down, the coolest experience that I have ever had in the Air Force is spending Halloween night in Romania in 2008, telling stories on top of Vladimir the Impaler's fortress with an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircrew out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Great guys, great stories, absolutely hands down the coolest thing that I have ever done.

If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I've had some amazing opportunities in life, and have already gotten to meet my biggest hero in life, and that was the late Robin Williams. So anyone else is just icing on the cake. If I could have four hours in a small setting and actually get to talk to Brian Fargo of [game development company] inXile Entertainment, I would love to be able to pitch some of the amazing stories that I have, meet some of his contacts and get some insight on how to get into the industry of gaming.