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AIRMAN SPOTLIGHT: SrA Savathi "Ty" Kem

  • Published
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Unit: 7 AF Commander's Action Group

Job title: Action Officer (AO)

Job description and its impact on the overall mission: My first year here, I was a CFP Technician with the 607 ACOMS. That's where I really got my hands dirty working on the classified networks. Semi-stressful, horrible hours, but I loved it. Since then, I've PCA'd to the 7 AF Commander's Action Group, where my new line of work is completely different, but just as important nonetheless. Up here, I manage workflow between 7 AF, USFK and PACAF while assisting with official functions involving 7 AF/CC, 7 AF/CV, 7 AF/CS, or 7AF/CCC. I won't lie, it's nice to work a normal 7-5 shift...and to be able to see sunlight. haha

Time in the military: 3 years

Time at Korea: 2

Family: Wife, Amanda, and son, Daren (due this April).

Hobbies: Anything that involves being outdoors. Or food.

Why did you join the military? Honestly, I just wanted to see what military life was like; it's always been an interest of mine. The pay definitely didn't attract me, but I'm glad I joined, even against the advice of just about everyone I knew. It has been quite an experience in the short 3 years I've been in. The friends I've made alone make this enlistment completely worth it.

Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? I plan to finish an MBA, hopefully within the next 3 years, and I'll knock out a few more IT certs, but other than that, I have no idea. There's million of things I'd like to do. We trust God will get us where we need to be.

What do you do for fun here? Snowboarding is my #1 hobby so that's all I've been doing lately. Korea's got some great hiking and mountain biking though so I look forward to that in the summer and fall. And if my own plans fall through, I love that I can rely on ODR or ITT to have something cool to check out over the weekends.

What's your favorite Air Force memory or story? Everyone always says basic training was so easy, what a joke, blah blah...but it was genuinely difficult for me. Why? Because my #2 hobby is feeding; and I don't care what anyone else says, they did not feed me. I have no idea how anybody gains weight- I lost 30 lbs! Anyway, my favorite memory was finally being picked for that kitchen duty job. And that first time, after 5 weeks, that I was able to sit down, relax, and, not drink, but actually CHEW my food was probably the most euphoric moment in my life, surpassing even my marriage. I hope Amanda cannot see this.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Getting past my fear of being in a foreign land and going outside the main gate. It took me at least 8 separate tries. My first visit was to the meat buffet restaurant and I ate really fast and quickly ran back on base. I have made small, but advancing strides ever since.

Who are your role models? Definitely Wolverine, the Hulk, and Ryu and Ken. If you could combine all four into one person...I wish that could be me. But realistically, hands down, it's all the guys I work with. I couldn't ask for better mentors. And I look forward to leading others one day, the exact same way that they are leading me.