Trainer retires with 31 years of federal service Published Dec. 16, 2008 By Susan Griggs Keesler News staff KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Madeline Rickman, 336th Training Squadron, retires Dec. 18 with more than 31 years of federal service. A native of Montana, she's the daughter of Vernon and Julie Rickman. Her dad was in the Air Force and trained at Keesler in 1951. Mrs. Rickman's career began at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. in 1977, where she held clerical positions in the chapel, mission support, civil engineering and services. In 1981, she came to Keesler and served as a clerk typist at the 403rd Wing and 81st Security Forces Squadron before promotion to a secretary stenographer position at Keesler Medical Center. The following year, Mrs. Rickman became the secretary to the commander of Detachment 2 of the manpower and personnel squadron. Back at the medical center in 1989, she was promoted to assistant public affairs director and served as the temporary director for four months. In 1991, Mrs. Rickman moved to the 81st Supply Squadron where she spent more than seven years as a computer operator. Nearly nine years ago, she moved to the 336th TRS where she's taught in the communications-computer systems operations apprentice course. Mrs. Rickman earned an associate's degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and attended the University of Southern Mississippi. She's received several outstanding performance awards, sustained superior performance awards and a suggestion award. Her husband, John Rickman, works in the 81st Training Support Squadron. They have six children and seven grandchildren.