Motivated Airman dedicated to AF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The absence of a father can be detrimental to a child, but in the military, the circumstances surrounding the absence can change the child's outlook. To Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Roman, 56th Communication Squadron cyber support technician, her father was a hero.

"My father was in special operations for the military and was always deployed, so I spent most of my time with my mother," she said. "I looked up to my father. I missed him when he was gone, but I never took it in a bad way. He made me proud to be his daughter."

Roman found solace by spending time with friends and hitting the weights at the gym while looking forward to his return.

"It was always hard on our family when he went away, so I took advantage of the time he was home," Roman said. "My dad taught me to be strong and help my mom while he was away. He said he was proud that I didn't show weakness and always stayed strong."

When she grew older, Roman decided to follow in her father's footsteps and signed up for the military.

"It's an honor to serve my country," she said. "My favorite part is coming to work and being surrounded by people who share the same core values. Family has always been important to me, and this is like a big family."

Roman's current goal is to get a Community College of the Air Force degree in computer science, which she is working toward. She also hopes to serve a full 20 years, and, like her father, she wants to be an inspiration to others.

""I want to stay in the military because it's something I grew up with and love," Roman said. "My dad completed 20 years of service, and I intend to follow in his footsteps."