22nd ARW Airman earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Airman John Linzmeier
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating one or more of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander' s intents: Foster a culture of excellence ... Develop the next generation of leaders ... Set and achieve goals.

Senior Airman Bryan Knehr, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Command Post senior controller, was selected as the 22nd ARW spotlight performer for the week of May 28 to 31.

Knehr has been in the Air Force for more than three years and has been at McConnell Air Force Base since April 2011.

He is one of only two junior Airmen qualified as a senior controller, a position normally manned by NCOs.

While serving here, Knehr has excelled in more than just his job, completing 18 credit hours toward his Community College of the Air Force degree and has voluntarily completed 32 hours of Federal Emergency Management Agency courses, in order to strengthen his leadership skills and ability to manage a crisis, said Maj. Eliud E. Torres, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Command Post chief.

Upon completing the Inspector General administered U.S. Strategic Command closed-book Emergency Action Procedures test, Knehr earned a score of 100 percent.

Knehr also became proficient in the Physical Fitness Test, scoring 97.3 percent, an increase of 11 points from his previous test, in addition to losing approximately 50 pounds.

"Senior Airman Knehr reflects the highest level of professionalism and inspires a culture of excellence in all," said Torres.

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
My most positive influence is, hands down, my wife Alisha. Although my parents gave me solid morals to build on, Alisha has kept me on the straight and narrow path. Her 'never fail attitude' has helped me push myself to positive life changes from kicking tobacco to earning school credits toward my degree. Together, we make up a cohesive unit that has unlimited potential in today's Air Force.

If you could give advice to a new Airman, what would it be and why?
My advice would be to create good habits, starting with being on-time. These will be your building block for everything else. Keep your head up and your feet moving -- a busy body stays out of trouble. Last but not least, start saving early (Thrift Savings Plan, stocks, bonds, etc.) because your material possessions will fade.

What is one goal that you have already accomplished, or would like to accomplish, during your Air Force career?
I would like to re-train into explosive ordnance disposal. I made a lot of "young person" mistakes and failed EOD technical school as a pipeline Airman. It is an unfinished chapter in my career that I plan on rewriting. However, if I never make it back into that career field, but still served honorably and was a good husband and father, my life goal would be complete.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
I have not traveled much outside of the country, but no place beats the great United States of America, especially the changing seasons of New England. I plan on traveling a lot throughout my career and will travel to Southeast Asia in October, so I will keep an open mind.

If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet every president I serve under. I think that would be a special moment, even if you didn't see each other eye-to-eye. I feel there would be a mutual unspoken respect when you shake hands, and it would be a heck of a picture to show your kids.