17th Training Wing Spotlight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ethan Sherwood
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

This spotlight features Airman 1st Class Benjamin Medina-Loera, 17th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron aerospace medical technician, who is responsible for assisting the active duty patient population in staying mission-ready. He enjoys working out, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones.

 1. How does your job support the 17th Training Wing’s mission?

Whether it's screening a patient for a cold or completing a record review for deployment, overseas assignment, or a Periodic Health Assessment, my role in the 17th Training Wing’s mission is to ensure the active duty population is mission-ready aka “Fit to Fight.”

2. What do you find most rewarding about your work?

It's a comfort to know that patients come in and trust that we will take care of them.

3. What has been your biggest challenge in the military, and how did you overcome that challenge?

I’m a creature of habit, so I’m just taking the days as they come, learning from them and adapting. Change is difficult but essential for growth.

4. What has been your most memorable experience in the military?

Being in a little over a year, I think the most meaningful/humbling thing for me is being thanked for my service in the military. It is definitely reassuring that we are appreciated for what we do, no matter what we do to help the mission.

5. What is one piece of information or advice you would like to pass on?

Be resilient. Be persistent. Life happens, understand that things do not always go as planned, but we can adapt.

6. What led you to join the military?

I was looking for stability, independence, and self-fulfillment to be a part of something bigger.

7. What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I work out. It’s how I build my character and how I decompress, plus it’s actually fun for me. Prior to Covid-19, I started going to music festivals with friends and family, and the experience was just so surreal.

8. What do you want to accomplish during your time here at Goodfellow Air Force Base?

Covid-19 put a damper on a lot of things, but it also gave me time for personal growth. Now is the best time for me to focus on myself, absorb the knowledge from the guidance I have, and hone in on becoming a well-rounded individual for myself, my peers and my patients.

9. What has been the most meaningful experience you have had on Goodfellow?

As a first-term Airman being a part of a new active duty clinic, I find it most meaningful being firsthand involved with the Covid-19 experience. It was new for everyone, but we have created a system and have grown and overcome challenges. We have made improvements to medical operations all in stride to improve and facilitate patient care.