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UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Newsom Jr.
raised his right hand, repeated the oath of enlistment administered
by a commissioned officer and then began his next term of service
with the U.S. Air Force, June 27, 2014.
Newsom's
re-enlistment ceremony took place in a maintenance group conference
room while deployed with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an
undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
This important
milestone in the life of the crew chief deployed from Grand Forks
Air Force Base, N.D., was made even more special as his father, Air
Force Lt. Col. Michael Newsom Sr., was able to view the
re-enlistment ceremony through the use of video teleconferencing
technology.
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Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Newsom
salutes his father, Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Newsom, at the end of
his reenlistment ceremony held at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 27, 2014. Lt.
Col. Newsom is deployed to a different undisclosed location in
Southwest Asia but was able to view the ceremony using video
teleconferencing equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master
Sgt. Eric Peterson)
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Lt. Col. Newsom, commander of the 379th Expeditionary
Communications Squadron, is also deployed to Southwest Asia
but in a different area.
The Air Force was a serious
career choice for the younger Newsom. He joined the military
out of a sense of duty and to carry on a family tradition.
Many of his family members have served or are presently
serving.
“I joined the Air Force primarily to continue on our
family lineage that we have,” he said. “I idolized my dad
growing up and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Hopefully,
I'm doing a good job and making him proud.”
Lt. Col.
Newsom spoke to his son following the ceremony through the
monitor screen of the video teleconference system.
“It's an institution that we value very much,” said Lt. Col.
Newsom of his family's tradition of military service. “I
appreciate you having me be a part of your reenlistment.
Every day you make me proud, and that's truly a great
pleasure for a father.”
The younger Newsom has been
associated with a variety of Air Force aircraft during his
seven years of military service.
He began his career
as a crew chief working with A-10 Thunderbolt fighter
aircraft while stationed at Osan Air Base, Republic of
Korea. He then worked with F-15 Eagles while serving a tour
of duty at Kadena Air Base, Japan. He is now a crew chief
with the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
His father's leadership
role as an officer in the U.S. Air Force has proven to be an
inspiration to him.
“I see a lot of lives that he's
affected over the years as far as people's careers,” said
Sgt. Newsom. “His having the ability to change a person's
life is amazing to me.”
Sgt. Newsom has participated
in five deployments during his career and his current
deployment to Southwest Asia has lasted for nearly 10
months.
He takes the daily challenges of working in a
deployed environment in stride.
“Being able to adapt
and exercise different managerial skills to try and manage
everything that's going on is always a constant battle,”
said Sgt. Newsom. “I only think it helps you build as a
person and it builds you as a leader.”
His future
career goals include either pursuing an Air Force commission
or working his way through the senior enlisted ranks to
chief master sergeant. Regardless of the promotion path, he
said he would like to continue sharing his career knowledge
and experience as a mentor to younger Airmen.
“As
long as I can contribute I'll stay in as long as the Air
Force allows me to,” said Sgt. Newsom.
By U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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