Travis Airmen make space in closets for another uniform

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
Being in the Air Force can sometimes be a tricky thing. The idea of service before self has a profound meaning that weighs heavy on the minds of many Airmen. Some wonder if they will ever have the time to see some of their personal goals and dreams fulfilled while serving in the military. 

However, two Travis Airmen have realized they don’t have to wait until they leave the service to fulfill their dreams. 

Senior Airman Shanna Nugent, 60th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, and Airman 1st Class Jana Lowin, 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron diagnostic imaging technician, have seen their dreams realized by becoming professional cheerleaders. 

“This was something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl,” Airman Nugent said. 

After meeting each other in the Travis Fitness Center aerobics room, Airman Nugent asked Airman Lowin if she had ever considered trying out to be a professional cheerleader. 

“I didn’t even think the military allowed us to do things like this,” said Airman Lowin. 

Once both got permission from their commanders, Airmen Nugent and Lowin started working together to build strong dance routines. At the end of March, both Airmen went to the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush tryouts. 

Both were selected to be among the 80 finalists after trying out for the Gold Rush with roughly 400 other hopefuls. 

“I’ve wanted to dance for the 49ers ever since I saw them in back-to-back Super Bowls in 1989 and 1990,” said Airman Nugent. “I never thought I would have the chance until I got stationed at Travis. It wasn’t until then I realized I may be able to make this dream a reality.” 

It was not such a happy ending for both Airmen however. In the end, only Airman Nugent walked away with one of the 40 positions on the team. 

“It was disappointing to work so hard and end up not getting a spot,” Airman Lowin said. 

“I just couldn’t believe they didn’t pick Jana,” said Airman Nugent. “She is so talented.” 

Not to be deterred, Airman Lowin decided to travel across the bay and try out for the Oakland Raiderettes the following weekend. She was hesitant to even try at first. However, she felt her abilities as a dancer would help her rise to the top. 

“I knew that this was the pinnacle of all my years of hard work and practice,” she said. 

Although her family, friends and co-workers were extremely proud of her for making the final round of tryouts for the Gold Rush, only her husband knew of her intention to try out for the Raiderettes. 

“I was really skeptical about going to the Raiderettes,” said Airman Lowin. “I had always heard that it was extremely hard to make the team. I didn’t want to build up everyone’s expectations again and not make it. That would have been so disappointing.” 

Her perseverance paid off. After trying out with almost another 400 women, Airman Lowin was picked to be an Oakland Raiderette. 

“I was thrilled when I found out I made it,” she said. “This is what I’ve been working for all my life.” 

Both have years of experience dancing and cheering. Airman Nugent has 10 years of dance experience, and Airman Lowin has more than 18 years. 

Over the next year, the two Airmen can look forward to days filled with practices, home games, autographs and appearances. Not to mention exercises, 12 hour shifts and recalls. 

With a busy schedule ahead of them, and a lot of saved up leave, Airmen Nugent and Lowin are looking forward to the challenges that await them.