Warrior of the Week

  • Published
  • By 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  
1. Name and rank: Staff Sgt. Carleigh Kinman 
2. Unit: 7th Medical Support Squadron 
3. Job title: Laboratory Technician
4. Job description and its impact on the overall mission: As a lab tech, I collect and analyze specimens of human origin to aid medical providers in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Essentially, medical personnel, whether they are doctors, nurses, administration techs, or anything else, help keep Dyess personnel healthy and in their duty sections.
5. Time in the military: 4 years, 5 months
6. Time at Dyess: 3 years, 2 months
7. Family: My family consists of my boyfriend and his two children.
8. Hometown: Knott, Texas
9. Why did you join the military? I initially joined the military because it was a steady paycheck that would allow me to pay off my student loans.
10. Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years: Hopefully, I will be working at a large medical center in a research position. I would love to work for the CDC testing for Ebola and other deadly agents.
11. What do you do for fun here? I enjoy reading, playing the saxophone, and taking college courses.
12. What's your favorite Air Force memory or story? My favorite Air Force memory is of my parents and the Air Show in 2005. My parents came and spent the day with me. They enjoyed watching the planes and walking along Linear Air Park. That was the last time my mom was able to come visit me before she died.
13. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of the fact that I am in my last semester of school. I will graduate in October with a Bachelor's of Science in Health Sciences. I have been going to school religiously hoping to one day earn a degree and make a difference in the medical profession.
14. Who are your role models? My role model has always been my grandmother. She has had a difficult life and has always been successful. She was born just after the Great Depression and was raised by her oldest sister. To escape the harsh lifestyle, she married my grandfather at age 14. At 15, she had twins; at 17, had my dad. She grew up with her children. They were always poor, but she always did her best for her family. The last several years have also been difficult for her. At age 72, she is now completely blind and severely crippled. She cannot see to get through her own house. Despite all of the adversity she has faced in her life, she has managed to survive and even thrive. My grandmother has always given more of herself than any other person I know. She is truly an amazing person.