Logistics Airman to mentor future officers

  • Published
  • By Merrie Schilter-Lowe
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After struggling to complete high school, she felt she had two choices: join the Air Force community or become part of the homeless community.

Now at age 29, Tech Sgt. Lily Pak, 60th Medical Group logistics technician at Travis Air Force Base has been selected to help shape future officers as an Air Force Academy military trainer, beginning in February 2019.

Pak learned in May that she had been nominated for one of 60 AMT positions, which she said was odd because her special duty assignment choices were Airman Leadership School instructor, Basic Military Training instructor and logistics technical school instructor in her current career field.   

“I love my job, I love Travis, but I am super happy about this,” said Pak.  “I wanted to do something that would challenge me.  I felt like I’ve grown a lot since being here.”

Pak’s 60th MDG and 60th Air Mobility Wing leadership submitted her name to Air Mobility Command for consideration, said Maj. John Decataldo, 60th Medical Logistics Flight commander at the David Grant USAF Medical Center. 

“I was at Dover (AFB, Delaware) for three years and worked with Senior Airman and, later, Staff Sergeant Pak,” said Decataldo.  “She is an NCO with a proven track record of performance, leadership and the ability to work without oversight or direction.  Her selection is no surprise to me.”

As an AMT, Pak will be the equivalent of an enlisted superintendent and first sergeant for one of 40 cadet squadrons, working closely with the squadron commander and showing cadets the enlisted side of the Air Force as well as serving as a mentor.    

Pak, who has been at Travis three years, is currently NCO in charge of the logistics section, which is responsible for about 10,000 pieces of medical equipment at DGMC – everything from dental to surgical equipment.

Pak, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, is of Korean decent and has two younger sisters and an older brother. 

“My parents are very religious, but also very traditional,” said Pak.  “They didn’t think I was turning out the way they thought I should so I got kicked out.  My brother was kicked out before me and my parents have never spoken to him again.” 

Initially, Pak stayed with a high school friend. 

“Her parents didn’t want me there so I had to leave,” said Pak.  “My friend knew people who had joined the Air Force and turned their lives around.  She told me to talk to an Air Force recruiter.  At that time, I felt I needed the military more than the Air Force needed me,” she said. 

 “I said, ‘I’ll do whatever you want me to do,’” she said.  “I have never regretted the decision.”

Pak enlisted in 2009.  She said technical school was a challenge, but she had great counselors.  She feels that her background will be an asset as an AMT.

Academy graduate, 2nd Lt. Marie Fleming, an intelligence officer at Beale AFB, California, couldn’t agree more. 

“I know we drive AMTs crazy,” said Fleming.  “I had a hard time adjusting to being away from home and, I had roommate issues.  I didn’t think I could do four years.”

Fleming was 18 when she entered the Academy.  She knew nothing about the military.

“Having my AMT was a huge benefit,” said Fleming.  “She told us real stories about the real Air Force.  She told us that one day we would be running things and taking care of our people.  It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture when all you do is attend classes.”

Fleming said she probably would have quit after the first semester if not for her former AMT, Senior Master Sgt. Debra Sheppard, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron superintendent at Travis.

“She kept telling me – all of us – not to give up,” said Fleming. “She’d say, ‘You’re stronger than you think.’ ‘You can make it through this.’  It was a benefit having her believe in me.’

AMTs not only supervise and instruct cadets on military training, they also perform room inspections, manage programs to help them meet commissioning obligations, ensure discipline is equitably maintained across the cadet wing and maintain the morale and welfare of the cadet wing.

“The job is a morph of many special duties,” said Sheppard.  “You are the squadron superintendent, first sergeant, (professional military education) instructor, drill and ceremony instructor, dorm advisor, counselor and mentor.

AMTs are responsible for 120 cadets per squadron.  And, unlike basic training or technical schools, AMTs are with their cadets the entire four years of school. 

“You see them go through so many challenges and excel,” said Sheppard.  “Graduation day is not only a proud moment for the Airmen and their families, but also the leaders that helped guide and mentor them along the way.”  

Having had to strike out on her own so soon after high school, Pak believes she can handle the job as an AMT.   

“Academy cadets come straight from high school, so there will be all kinds of challenges facing them – emotional, mental and physical,” she said.  “I have a passion to help people get to the next level, and I will get to know the leaders who will manage the future Air Force.”