Airman teaches military skills in community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justyn Freeman
  • National Air and Space Intelligence Center Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Many Airmen volunteer in the local community all the time; be it helping build houses for the needy or serving food at a homeless shelter. Whatever the case may be, these Airmen give their time and energy trying to make their communities better.

One such Airman is Senior Airman Chance Pettey, who is assigned to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

Pettey is a volunteer staff officer for the Miami Valley Young Marines, and he works as a volunteer community educator for the Huber Heights Fire Department on the community outreach team.

“Airman Pettey is a real hard charger, very forward leaning, way more so than I’ve seen with any other Airman,” said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Olmeda, Pettey’s direct supervisor. “What he does is inspiring.”

According to their website, the Young Marines is a local non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 and up. The organization promotes mental, moral and physical development of its members. The adult volunteers who run the program are active duty, Reservist, retiree or separated service members trying to pass on the values they gained from the military.

“My best experience with the Young Marines is just watching the kids grow,” Pettey said. “You know, when they first start out in the program they’re all rough around the edges, but they really start to get squared away and actually take on some of the values. It’s a very rewarding experience to be part of the program.”

Pettey’s acceptance into the Young Marines was anything but ordinary. While he was serving as a NASIC color guardsman the 2013 furloughs restricted the group’s operations. They were told they couldn’t post the colors for Honor Flights, veterans returning home from visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“I went there anyway and spoke with the public affairs officer of the Young Marines,” he said. “I told him that I was there to help him in any way possible, and he told me that if I gave him my pinky that he would take my whole arm.”

As part of the community outreach team for the Huber Heights Fire Department, Pettey and other volunteers teach CPR classes, first aid and community emergency response actions.

“I used to be an EMT before I joined the Air Force and I love talking about anything that is benefiting another’s life,” Pettey said. “If I can take part in helping someone save another’s life, ultimately that’s all I could ask for.”

For more information about the Young Marines, go to their website at www.youngmarines.com. Information about the Huber Height Fire Department visit www.huberfire.com.