TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II visited the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Dec. 1 to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the state-funded, two-year residential high school.
The general’s visit also provided an opportunity to engage the students and plant the seed for future employment and service with the military or civilian service corps upon completion of college with STEM degrees.
STEM graduates are in high-demand, according to Cynthia Kennedy, AFSC Science and Engineering K-12 STEM education outreach coordinator. “Not only does industry need STEM career-minded people, but there is also a need in the military. Technology is advancing rapidly. Weapon systems are becoming more technically sophisticated,” she said.
AFSC locations include Tinker Air Force Base, the largest single-site employer in the state of Oklahoma, along with Hill AFB, Utah, and Robins AFB, Georgia. Together the three AFSC bases have an insatiable demand for employees in the STEM fields.
Tinker continuously has more open STEM positions than qualified applicants and seeks to change this in the future through positive engagement of students early in their academic careers, according to the commander. This visit provides “jet fuel” for their personal growth and the sustained defense of the nation.
“I want to attract the adults who are in the marketplace and I want to hire them right out of college,” General Levy said. “I want to grow the next generation because whatever I need today, I’m going to need twice as many tomorrow.”
Many of the students in the two-year program continue to higher-education STEM programs. OSSM graduates leave with substantial college credit hours for a head-start toward a STEM degree.
Joining General Levy on the tour of OSSM were Kevin Stamey, AFSC Director of Engineering and Technical Management, and Col. Charles Gaona, his deputy director.
“Students often aren’t familiar with the possibilities military careers can afford primarily because they’ve not been exposed to the culture,” Ms. Kennedy, said.
OSSM President Dr. Frank Wang cited the general’s visit as a strong motivational tool for students.
“When military leaders like General Levy visit the school, it leaves a strong impression with the students,” he said.
“My mission and passion in life is to preach the message that each and every child has tremendous untapped potential far beyond their parents, their teachers, or even their own expectations,” Dr. Wang said. “They are very smart, ambitious young people and I know they are going to achieve success in their fields. My message to them is when you achieve that success remember the community, remember the people that invested so fervently and so earnestly in you and look to give back.”
Support and engagement from military and industry leaders in this manner might prove to be the conduit for these students to give back, as Dr. Wang encourages them to do. Opportunities for students to interact with leaders such as General Levy and others helps spread the passion for service to the nation by showcasing the fact there are real opportunities for good employment here in Oklahoma.
A group photo taken at a bench which features a statue of Albert Einstein sitting in the center provided an opportunity for General Levy to present a commander’s coin to Dr. Wang, “on behalf of the 43,000 Airmen, civil service, active, guard and reserve and commercial Airmen who help us at the Air Force Sustainment Center.” The general asked that it be displayed for the entire student body and faculty to see to provide them inspiration.
“My job is to deliver combat power for America.” General Levy said. He paused for a moment to emphasize his coming words. “And your job is to deliver the next generation of the nation’s leaders. By my account from my time here today, you are doing a pretty darned good job at that!”