ARS highlights one of its own Published June 3, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Staff Sgt. Martin Rodriguez 349th Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling operator Sergeant Rodriguez is from Brownsville, Texas, and has been in the Air Force for seven years and eleven months. He has served at McConnell for three months. When he's not at work, he enjoys writing, painting, reading, listening to music and skydiving. What do you enjoy most about McConnell? As a recent cross trainee to the aircrew side, I get to interact with the pilots and other officers that make my crew very essential. I not only get to learn information about my job through the enlisted side but also through the officer side. I'm excited to be part of the only Air Force base that supports Special Operation Air Refueling missions, not to mention, McConnell is in a centralized location. I get to support missions from either side of the United States and traveling the world. Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? At first, it was for education and travel, but through the years it became more of patriotism and fighting for what is right, making my family proud of me and defending their rights. What would you like to accomplish during your Air Force career? I would like to finish my bachelor's degree and get a commission, and stay in the aircrew career field as an officer and eventually retire. Who is the most positive influence in your life and why? I would have to say my parents, Silvia and Martin Rodriguez, and Linda, a friend of the family. I look back and see how much they sacrificed and always supported me in my decisions. Their love and guidance gave me the positive attitude I needed to succeed. What would you be most proud to tell your parents? Thanks to them, I am the man I am today. I can proudly say that I graduated from high school with honors, received my Community College of the Air Force associates degree, and I defend my country because of their love, support and positive attitude. What would you like to tell someone who is considering joining the Air Force? Go for it. It's not only a secure job with good benefits but you get college credit from your training, without going to college; and it helps built a foundation for life. It gives you the edge everyone wants in this day and age. Try enlisted first and if you want to pursue the officer route, apply for a commission, either way, the Air Force is the way to go. It can guide you on a challenging yet rewarding road.