Deployed Joint Base Lewis-McChord NCO, C-17 loadmaster, takes on full course load

Published May 5, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary
Air Forces Central Combat Camera Correspondent

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Air Force continuously stresses the importance of pursuing higher education. For one Airman, this recommendation was heard loud and clear. With his mind firmly set on becoming an officer, Staff Sgt. Todd Tichawa took on a full course load since deploying in support of overseas contingency operations.

"My near term goal is to finish up my final classes for my bachelor's degree and to begin the process of applying for Officer Training School," said Sergeant Tichawa, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. "My long term goal is to gain a commission and to finish out my 20 years serving as an officer in the Air Force."

In an era where the Air Force is downsizing, leadership is also encouraging seasoned Airmen to commission.

"The Air Force benefits in numerous ways but most notably by their experience of dealing with and leading Airmen," said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Ellis, 816th EAS. "Prior enlisted officers know that NCOs are the backbone of the Air Force and they treat them with the respect that their years in service deserves, which in turn motivates their subordinates to give them their best."

The staff sergeant always felt a pull to join the military. Since enlisting, Sergeant Tichawa hasn't looked back.

"I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and to serve my country," said the sergeant, deployed from 7th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. "It's a great job and I like to know that I am doing my part to fight for our freedom."

One of the key things that keep the sergeant's interest both as a loadmaster and as an Airman is the constantly evolving work dynamics the military provides.

An ever changing work environment that keeps the daily routine of doing any job interesting is one of the main draws, said Sergeant Tichawa.

Since enlisting, the loadmaster has gained considerable experience with the Air Force aerial capabilities and the advantages this particular service brings to the joint fight. After a decade working at his craft, the sergeant is ready to take another leap of faith and apply for a commission in another part of the Air Force's mission: space command.

"I am currently looking into the Space and Missile Operations Officer career field. My brother and his wife both work in the space systems operations career field. The job that they do seems very interesting to me," he said. "Also, the job would give me the opportunity to explore an entirely different specialty area that the Air Force has to offer."

Sergeant Tichawa is in the final stages of securing his degree. Currently, he is performing both a full-time requirement as a loadmaster supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn as well as other overseas contingency operations in addition to carrying a full course load.

"I am currently taking 16 credit hours total," Sergeant Tichawa said. "These are my final classes that I need to finish my bachelor's of science degree in business administration. I will have accomplished a total of 16 classes totaling 64 credit hours of school all in the last 10 months."

The course load and work schedule, while a heavy burden, all help toward the end goal: commissioning. However, at no point have his responsibilities as a loadmaster ever come second. Sergeant Tichawa has embraced the core value of "service before self."

"Being deployed to a combat environment adds to the on the job responsibilities that we have and having a full course load has been quite difficult to juggle at the same time," he stressed. "The mission always comes first. Luckily I have had some very understanding professors that realize this as well and have been gracious with my assignment due dates."

After successfully completing his final courses necessary for his degree, Sergeant Tichawa will direct his attention to gaining a commission. When this happens, the sergeant believes his experience as an enlisted Airman will only help him be a better officer.

"I believe that being an enlisted Airman will translate into me being a much better officer," he said. "As a prior enlisted member I would be able to relate with the enlisted force on a personal level much better than a non-prior enlisted member. These experiences will carry over and add to my value as an officer with a prior enlisted background."

While gaining a commission is important to the sergeant for professional reasons, the pursuit has become one close to his heart. One reason he is so passionate about commissioning is to bring attention to the enlisted that the pursuit of a Community College of the Air Force degree is a worthwhile cause.

"Without the Air Force, a college degree in business administration may hold a different value to me," Sergeant Tichawa said. "I think that my experiences over the last 10 years and my experience as an NCO have added great value and understanding to a degree like this."

Moreover, pursuing his degree is something that holds personal significance to him. Being inspired by the CCAF graduation of a fellow Airman, Sergeant Tichawa believes that his decision to get his degree and commission will help both his personal and professional life.

"Commissioning will help further my career progression as a leader and to help secure a better future myself and the people in my life that I love," he said. "The inspiration and motivation of a fellow Airman gave him the push that he needed to peruse his degree."