This week’s Up Close features Senior Airman Debrion Radford, a 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner. Up Close is a series spotlighting individuals around Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Warner Robins, Ga.
WHY DID YOU JOIN?
I started off in college and then worked corporate, but I wanted to do something that was very impactful. I’ve always served throughout my life, so that’s the reason I joined, just to serve and see the world through a different lens. It’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Chief Hester has been a great mentor and Lt. Tanner and all the people who work around me. I’m also taking some guidance and learning my job from Maj. Callahan. It’s been really great.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE CIVILIAN SIDE?
I’m currently working fulltime at Dobbins on military orders for training until March. Hopefully after that I’ll be able to move into a permanent role as an air reserve technician in the squadron.
FAVORITE AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE?
Going to Hurlburt Field for five months of training. It was great because you get to see a different scope of the Air Force and active duty, specifically special operations and how they do things.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
I love working out and playing basketball. I also love to read. I’m big into mental health and psychology. I read a lot of nonfiction, but also a lot of poetry as well. My favorite collection of poetry is “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost. It keeps me grounded and rooted in not giving people titles but knowing that anyone can do anything they want to do. That book helps me realize this and puts everything in perspective.
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I’m currently working on an MBA in Supply Chain. Eventually, I want to become a logistics readiness officer. I’d also like to continue working on becoming a better person and a better servant in the military, in my personal life, and in the community. I’m engaged so I’m working on becoming a better servant for my future family and my future wife. We’re getting married in October. It’s a long time coming because we’ve been together since high school. There have been a lot of struggles, but I think consistency and discipline has been the key to my success, but also perspective. Everyone has their opinion, and sometimes you have to look at it from other angles rather than yours to grow.
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
Don’t tell anybody that you’re great. Let someone else tell others that you’re great. So it’s about being humble and letting your work speak for itself.
SOMETHING NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
I’m pretty much an open book. I love to cook. I love food. Everybody knows that I love food, for the most part, but they don’t know that I love to cook. My go to dish as of late is enchiladas. I swear to you it tastes just like you ordered it in a Mexican restaurant. The key is to simmer the vegetables just right.