Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Evelyn D’Errico
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The 17th Training Wing hosted the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at Goodfellow Air Force Base May 10.

Military commitment certificates and graduation stoles sit on a table at the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. After their name was called and the students declared what branch of service they selected, they received a certificate and stole. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

Military commitment certificates and graduation stoles sit on a table at the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. After their name was called and the students declared what branch of service they selected, they received a certificate and stole. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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“Today is a celebration,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas Coyle, Marine Corps Detachment Goodfellow Air Force Base commanding officer. “We are here to support these new recruits and the beginning of their journey into the profession of arms.”

A total of 23 seniors from San Angelo Independent School District attended to celebrate their commitment to military service by either attending a service academy, accepting an  ROTC scholarship or enlisting for active duty, reserve or National Guard.

Luis Martinez, San Angelo Disabled American Veteran commander, places a graduation stole on a San Angelo Independent School District senior during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. A total of 23 seniors from San Angelo Independent School District attended to celebrate their commitment to military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

Luis Martinez, San Angelo Disabled American Veteran commander, places a graduation stole on a San Angelo Independent School District senior during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. A total of 23 seniors from San Angelo Independent School District attended to celebrate their commitment to military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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“They’ve just opened the door to numerous opportunities, more than they can even imagine,” said retired Army Master Sgt. Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient and keynote speaker. 

Each student received a military commitment certificate and graduation stole to wear during their commencement ceremonies to showcase the commitment they have made to serve their nation.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret) Ronnie Hawkins, Angelo State University president, speaks during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. Hawkins thanked the students for their commitment to serve and gave them career advice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret) Ronnie Hawkins, Angelo State University president, speaks during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. Hawkins thanked the students for their commitment to serve and gave them career advice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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“We wanted to take time to recognize the commitment that these high school seniors are making to the military,” said Kristin Donaldson, 17th Mission Support Group school liaison program manager. “Wherever they are going, no matter what service, we want them to know that we are supporting them and that they are walking into a military family.”

U.S. Army Master Sgt. (Ret) Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient, gives a motivational speech to 23 new recruits during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. San Angelo high school seniors who have committed to a career of military service attended a service academy, accepted an ROTC scholarship or enlisted for service as active duty, reserve or National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

U.S. Army Master Sgt. (Ret) Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient, gives a motivational speech to 23 new recruits during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. San Angelo high school seniors who have committed to a career of military service attended a service academy, accepted an ROTC scholarship or enlisted for service as active duty, reserve or National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Leyba, Information Warfare Training Command Monterey Detachment Goodfellow officer in charge gifts his daughter, Lindsay Marie Leyba, with officer insignia after her signing to accept a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. Leyba was accepted to the Texas Agriculture and Mechanical University Cadet Corps program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Leyba, Information Warfare Training Command Monterey Detachment Goodfellow officer in charge gifts his daughter, Lindsay Marie Leyba, with officer insignia after her signing to accept a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship during the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. Leyba was accepted to the Texas Agriculture and Mechanical University Cadet Corps program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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San Angelo Independent School District seniors attend the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. A total of 23 seniors from San Angelo Independent School District attended to celebrate their commitment to military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Goodfellow AFB Hosts Military Signing Day

San Angelo Independent School District seniors attend the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration at the Mathis Fitness Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 10, 2024. A total of 23 seniors from San Angelo Independent School District attended to celebrate their commitment to military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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