KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Leadership from the 81st Training Wing selected four Airmen for Senior Airman Below-the-Zone promotions on 23 March 2017.
The following Airmen were selected:
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Airman 1st Class Jessenia Reynoso, 81st Medical Operations Squadron
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Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Kuc, 81st Dental Squadron
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Airman 1st Class Ashley Solorzano, 81st Operations Support Flight
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Airman 1st Class Devin Demkowicz, 81st Diagnostic and Therapeutics Squadron
“Shortly after arriving here at Keesler Air Force Base I spoke with the Group Chiefs and we implemented face-to-face boards. The four Airmen selected for BTZ made a positive impact to our mission and displayed superior leadership in their duties and around the wing,” Said Chief Master Sergeant Vegas M. Clark, 81st Training Wing Command Chief. “To be selected for BTZ ahead of their peers says a lot about these outstanding Dragons’ work ethic and exceptional performance.”
According to the BTZ selectees, they felt humbled by their selection due to the competitive nature of the process.
“I greatly appreciate being selected for BTZ and I am very excited,” said Airman Solorzano. “It was a very humbling experience. I understand the competition was tough because I was competing with some of the best. I am also very grateful to those who have supported and helped me develop to become the airman that I am today.”
Each Airman who is eligible for BTZ must submit a package showing their accomplishments thus far in their Air Force career. The Airmen selected as group-level winners met a board that consisted of the Group Superintendents and the Command Chief. Their recommendations and final leadership decisions determined the winners.
“No way would I be here without the help of my leadership because they are the ones who prepared me for the board,” said Airman Kuc. “I wasn’t extremely confident at first because there's such a small percentage of people who receive it, however, after a little motivation and support, I asked myself "Why not?" Now look where I am. You never know unless you try.”