22nd Director of Staff Airman earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Trevor Rhynes
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  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. Chelsie McCall, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Safety ground safety technician, was selected as the spotlight performer for the week of Feb 8 through 14.
McCall, the New Waterford, Ohio native, joined the Air Force July 2007 and has been a member of Team McConnell since September 2014.

As a safety technician, part of the job is education and training and also conduct inspections ensuring state, federal, Air Force and national occupational safety, health and fire standards are enforced. They are also responsible for investigating mishaps then analyzing that data to prepare trends. When she's not on duty, she enjoys softball, working out and doing puzzles.

"Staff Sgt. McCall's maturity, level of effort and dedication to the mission is impressive," said Lt. Col. Nils Hallberg, 22nd ARW chief of wing safety. "In just six weeks, she knocked out her 5-level CDC's, normally a nine-month process. From what I've seen over the last three months, she has a bright future ahead of her!" 

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
My sister has always been the one behind me pushing me to accomplish things I never thought I could. She is someone I have always tried to follow and who I go to when I need advice. Without her I am not sure where I would be right now.

If you could give advice to a new Airman, what would it be and why?
Don't decide to separate the Air Force based off your first duty station and take all the opportunities you can while you're young. Too many good Airmen get out because of their first base but refuse to take the great opportunities that are offered. 

What is one goal that you have already accomplished, or would like to accomplish, during your Air Force career?
My main goal was to accomplish my Bachelorss Degree and in February I will officially graduate with my Masters. My next goal is taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and getting into school for my PhD.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
The most interesting place I visited was when I deployed to Qatar. One of the jobs consisted of conducting Personnel Security Details (PSD) missions. It was eye opening to see a different side Security Forces as well as experience the beautiful county and a whole new culture.   

If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Within the past year, weightlifting has become extremely important to me as I'm hoping to participate in a fitness competition within the next year. That being said, I would really love to meet Dana Bailey. Picking her brain for 20 minutes would give me another perspective to competing.