Medic chosen to teach at Canadian NCO Academy

Published Feb. 16, 2011
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Senior Master Sgt. Laura Herring has been selected for a unique assignment. She will become an instructor at the Canadian Forces Senior NCO Academy, located about 60 miles southeast of Montreal.

Sergeant Herring, superintendent of the 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron pathology and laboratory flight, learned she was chosen for the post Jan. 11 when she received a phone call from the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

She said she had applied around Thanksgiving and believes each numbered Air Force was asked to submit nominees.

"I'm excited!" Sergeant Herring said. "This will be my first instructor duty."

The 22-year Air Force veteran -- all in the laboratory career field -- arrived at Keesler 13 months ago.

Sergeant Herring started language training at the Presidio of Monterey, Calif., Feb. 10. She scored a 113 on the language aptitude test -- a score of 95 or higher is required.

Following the six-month school, Sergeant Herring, a Dallas native, attends the six-week basic instructor course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.