MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Aliaksei Krasouski moved to the Unites States 10 years ago in search of better opportunities,education and to ways to help others.
“I served time in the Belarussian air force when I was living in Minsk, Belarus,” said Krasouski, 91st Air Refueling Squadron medical technician. “Being in the Belarussian air force, on top of how much I love the U.S., are the reasons I decided to join the U.S. Air Force.”
He said he was amazed at the diversity of people and food from all over the world here.
“Everything was just so different,” said Krasouski. “There were so many different types of people and food that I had never experienced before.”
Coming from a different country presented Krasouski with various obstacles and struggles each day.
“When I arrived, I struggled with verbal English and southern accents,” said Krasouski. “But I focused on trying to improve my English, and eventually graduated tech school with academic excellence.”
Despite coming from a foreign country and struggling with both the English and military language, Krasouski strived to be the best medical technician he could be.
“I always wanted to work hard and give everything I had,” said Krasouski. “So when I had a chance to use my prior knowledge, I took it.”
As a benefit to the U.S. Air Force, Krasouski used his fluency in other languages to train more than 45 members of foreign military and civilian agency members from five different West African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau during medical exercises.
“Being fluent in different languages gave me the opportunity to help the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine,” said Krasouski. “I used my language skills and medical knowledge to help train people overseas.”
Krasouski maintains an international health specialist special experience indicator and acted as one of a few instructors who taught the Basic First Responder Course in Accra, Ghana, in 2015.
“Staff Sgt. Alikaksei Krasouski is a great man, father, and NCO. His cultural background demonstrates what is great about the U.S. Air Force,” said Tech. Sgt. John Shonk, 6th Aerospace Medical Squadron flight chief. “It is an honor and a privilege to serve with Krasouski.”
Krasouski wishes to give back by furthering his knowledge through the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.
“I recently decided I want to further my education,” said Krasouski. “So, I applied to the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, and was accepted at Florida State University.”
Krasouski hopes to return as a commissioned officer, and use his prior enlisted knowledge and medical expertise.
“I hope the Air Force will continue to use my language and medical skills in the future,” said Krasouski. “I have a lot I want to give back to the Air Force and this great country.”