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Austin Pyatt
Marissa Melem
Waterford Alumni Veterans
Waterford Alumni Veterans
November 10-Gracie Stengel
This week the WAWICA staff was lucky enough to have an interview with two graduates of Waterford High School: Marissa Melem and Austin Pyatt. Both are currently active members of the United States Air Force. We asked them some of the following questions to get the inside scoop on their lives in the military.
When asked why they joined they offered different answers. Marissa said she joined for the opportunity to go to college. The military paying for her education made it possible for her to earn a bachelor's degree and now work towards her master's degree. Austin felt his whole life that the military was something he would do and he always had the drive to serve his country. The benefits of travel and on-the-job experience that prepare you for other possibilities in life appealed to him.
When boot camp came up in the interview these two also had different experiences. Within the years between their enlistments, there have been changes to the rules and regulations of basic training. Both agreed that it was worth it and that making friends was a big part. Boot camp is about learning, growing, and listening to instructions. Marissa described the experience as living Sunday to Sunday. Each week this day was their break dedicated to grilled cheese and Jesus.
Traveling can also be an important part of the service. Marissa has had the opportunity to visit 46 countries in her time in the military. She talked about her time working in Bahrain. A hot, dry, middle eastern country. In this time she worked to negotiate contracts with airline representatives to send packages and mail between all the deployed service members overseas. In addition, they scanned packages to ensure that everything being shipped was safe and legal. Ms. Melem also worked in Ramstein, Germany at a post office where she serviced 66,000 people. She described it as cold and gloomy there. She currently works in Colorado at the Air Force Academy training the next generation of Air Force pilots.
Austin has had to opportunity to visit the territory of Guam but is currently located in South Dakota. In his job, he is a crew chief for the B-1, which is a large bomber aircraft. Its sole mission is to carry bombs and drop them as accurately as possible. He is in charge of all of the inspections and maintenance while it is on the ground and making sure it is equipped for flight with all the oil necessary for hydraulics and oxygen that is needed for the pilots.
Being a part of the military and serving their country has been a very important part of their lives. Meeting people, seeing different cultures, and personal growth has made this experience memorable. The WAWICA is grateful for the opportunity to highlight these two individuals and would like to thank them for their service.
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