Contracting specialist displays "Service Before Self"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- --  Name and Rank: Senior Airman Veronica Guerrero

Unit: 48th Contracting Squadron

Duty Title: Contracting specialist

Time in Service: 2 years

Time at Lakenheath: 1 year, 6 months

Hometown: Elgin, Texas

Hobbies: Scrapbooking, running and spending time with friends

Core Value Portrayed: "Service Before Self"

How does the individual portray that core value?
Guerrero portrays "Service Before Self" through her dedication to both the mission and the community. Over the last year Guerrero successfully managed 77 contracting actions valued at $11 million for RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall, nine tenant units and eight geographically separated units within the UK. She also devoted 216 hours as the Liberty Wing Airman's Council president, an assistant coach for a junior soccer team, the unit elementary school mentorship program coordinator and an Airman Against Drunk Driving volunteer.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
As the first in my family to serve in the military, the Air Force has provided me the opportunity to be a role model for my six brothers and sisters. It gives me a great sense of pride knowing that I am not only a positive role model, but service to my country allows me to protect my family's freedoms.

What accomplishment during your Air Force career are you most proud of?
Being selected as the 2011 Mission Support Group Airman of the Year. The men and women in this group are amazing and it is very humbling to represent the best MSG in the Air Force.

What are your personal and/or professional goals?
My personal and professional goals are tied together. My commander has been a source of inspiration for me. I would like to follow in his footsteps and earn my bachelor's degree during my first enlistment, receive a commission and eventually command my own contracting squadron.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The challenge! In contracting each contract is unique and I learn something new every day. I find with every new contract I work, I am challenged in different ways and it pushes me to complete each contract action better than the last.