This week’s Up Close features Senior Airman Margaryta Yarbrough, an 80th Aerial Port Squadron rigger. Up Close is a series spotlighting individuals around Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Ukraine
WHY DID YOU JOIN?
I wanted to do something which changes the world. I know it probably sounds cheesy, but I had a career in the civilian world, so this is something I could do to change people’s lives and to do something good for them.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE CIVILIAN SIDE?
I’m a manager at Marietta Fish Market. I like working both places because there I deal with people and here I deal with parachutes, so it kind of gives me a little break.
FAVORITE AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE?
Probably helping with the hurricane relief efforts in 2017. It fit with my main reason for joining the Air Force: to help people. That was a big opportunity to help others and see that your efforts are actually changing somebody’s life.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
I do archery and play video games.
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I want to try to becoming an officer. I just passed my Air Force Officer Qualification Test. The next step will be to get the package together and sent up to the board. I’ve achieved one of my main personal goals of having a happy family. I’d like to bring my parents to the U.S. though. I’m working on that now. Another goal of mine is to keep succeeding in my career.
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
If you can do it, do it. Don’t be scared to try. My mother-in-law gave me this bracelet, and I really like the quote on it, it says, “She believed she could, so she did.” It was very nice of her.
SOMETHING NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
Can we just keep it that way?