Thunderbolt looks to future

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Hensley
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Motivation comes from looking at the thing you want and realizing what it takes to get it.

"I joined the Air Force because I wanted to do something more than the average Joe," said Staff Sgt. Maddie Baker, 56th Dental Squadron acting commander secretary. "I went to college right after high school, but it was taking me a long time to get where I wanted to be, and I wanted to do more. I had family members who were in the military, some Air Force and some Marines, so I decided to go see an Air Force recruiter. He described everything I wanted to be."

Baker has accomplished many feats since joining the Air Force, including various degrees.

"The biggest thing I wanted was to go to school, and I've achieved that," she said. "I've gotten a few associate degrees, and I just finished my bachelor's. I got orders to Ramstein, Germany, and plan on starting my master's program once I get there."

According to Baker, she has been able to do anything and everything she's ever wanted to do and much more since joining the Air Force. She waited five months in the delayed enlistment program for the dental job she wanted. She got to basic training and met Air Force Honor Guard recruiters that came out to see about fresh recruits from basic training. Baker jumped at the opportunity.

"It was a completely different experience being part of the honor guard," Baker said. "Being in the honor guard and being female, I was able to do a lot of firsts. I was the first female to carry a casket in Arlington, Virginia. I also participated the inauguration of President Obama. They were both an honor that not many people get to do."

As an honor guard member, she had many experiences that few people do. In addition to a great opportunity, she took many things to heart from her experiences.

"For my first career field in the Air Force, the honor guard was beyond rewarding," Baker said. "I like my job now, but I miss honor guard every day because I got to see the effect of honoring those who have passed."

Baker has faced a few challenges while in the military. One of the biggest challenges was cross-training from Air Force Honor Guard to dental and arriving at Luke Air Force Base.

"I had a very rare experience -- I arrived at Luke and put on staff sergeant right away," Baker said. "So not only did I join the operational Air Force, I entered operational as an NCO. People looked to me and asked me questions, which was very difficult as a transition because I didn't have all the answers. I only knew what I was taught in tech school."

Through the challenges of leading Airmen, Baker has gained the respect of her peers.

"Baker is very motivated and dedicated," said Airman Madison Hanson, 56th Dental Squadron dental assistant. "She's on top of things and is very respectful. With her personality I could see her as an officer or chief someday."

Baker finds satisfaction in helping people who come in for dental work.

"As a lab technician, if someone is embarrassed about their teeth, you're able to fix that for them and they leave smiling," Baker said. "It's a very good feeling because then they don't feel self-conscious or embarrassed any longer. They feel proud. It's very rewarding knowing that I helped them to feel pride instead of embarrassment."