Unit Deployment Manager displays ‘Service Before Self’

  • Published
  • By 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  

Name and Rank: Airman 1st Class Jelissa Schools

Unit: 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Duty Title: Unit deployment manager

Time in Service: 2 years, 10 month

Time at RAF Lakenheath: 2 years, 6 months

Hometown: Columbia, S.C.

Hobbies: Shopping, reading and working out

Core Value Portrayed: Service Before Self

How does the individual portray that core value? Schools' selfless and positive attitude is consistent and her smile is contagious regardless of how heavily tasked the office is. Her professionalism in dealing with last minute deployments, issuing temporary duty assignments and short notice exercise changes set her apart from her peers. In August, Schools prepped 10 personnel for deployments to three combatant commands and coordinated the movement of 41 aircraft to three countries. Many times, these require 14-hour days and helping our deployers at a moment's notice. In addition, Schools leads not only her peers, but the entire squadron of almost 300 active duty members as a physical training leader. Schools deserves recognition because she is an Airman 1st Class that can be trusted to get the job done and put the mission first while always caring about people.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? I joined the Air Force to make a difference. I didn't want to be a typical member of society. I wanted to grow to my highest potential, and I truly feel that the Air Force will be that pedestal.

What accomplishment during your Air Force career are you most proud of? I am most proud of my education. Although I have not fully accomplished my degree, I pride myself in knowing that I am progressing and growing as a person both in my military career and in my personal life.

What are your personal and/or professional goals? My professional and personal goal would be getting a degree in accounting. When my enlistment is complete, I would like to start my own accounting firm.

What is your favorite part of the job? As a whole, I love my job, but I truly enjoy processing deployments. It can be an extremely fast-pace work environment which I love because it keeps me thinking. Every location makes the process a little different so it always seems like I'm doing a different job.