Mentor, mentee reunite for re-enlistment

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Tech. Sgt. Erin Caldwell, 56th Fighter Wing command section NCO-in-charge, has re-enlisted before.

This time though the re-enlisting officer is someone whom she mentored as a young Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet in college.

"We first met in the fall semester 2003 at AFROTC Detachment 225 at the University of Notre Dame, Ind.," said Sergeant Caldwell. "At the time, 1st Lt. C. Scott Martin was a cadet and had just started the program as a freshman. I filled out his paperwork for his first enlistment as a cadet."

Sergeant Caldwell was Cadet Martin's first exposure to the active-duty enlisted corps. The NCO trust he learned from her continued through his college graduation and, later, the Air and Space Basic Course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

"She was an excellent mentor," said Lieutenant Martin. "I think the main benefits of forming a strong working relationship with an NCO for a young officer is gaining perspective on Air Force issues and learning from his or her experiences."

The two Airmen were reunited at Luke this year when the lieutenant was assigned as a student pilot at the 309th Fighter Squadron.

According to Lieutenant Martin, two of his uncles were Air Force firefighters, his father and another uncle were Marines, and two cousins are helicopter pilots in the Army. He always wanted to fly.

"ROTC offered me the ability to go to my school of choice while getting help financially," Lieutenant Martin said.

Sergeant Caldwell is re-enlisting for the third time. However, it is her first time having someone who's important from her past renew her future commitment to serving the nation.

"I enjoy what I do in the Air Force," Sergeant Caldwell said. "I couldn't think of doing anything else."

This is the second re-enlistment ceremony over which the lieutenant has presided. The first was one of his Airmen while on casual status at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., while he was awaiting training.

"I will be reassigned in December to the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.," Lieutenant Martin said. "I would definitely say that her mentoring has helped me."