Ruiz Garcia selected July Airman of the Month

  • Published
  • By Jessica Gibson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Airman 1st Class Eric Ruiz Garcia, a medical records technician with the 71st Medical Support Squadron, is the Wing Airman of the Month for July. Ruiz Garcia is from East Hartford, Conn., and has been in the Air Force for a year and a half. Vance is his first assignment.

Ruiz Garcia said his flight's assistant flight commander, Staff Sgt. Deanna Ritchey, nominated him because he did a good job and was a hard worker. "I'm a very friendly person," he said.

To become Airman of the Month, Ruiz Garcia met with a board composed of one senior NCO, an NCO, and the previous Airman of the Month. The board asked Ruiz Garcia several questions about specific military related areas and current events issues. The board scored Ruiz Garcia based on his responses, dress and appearance, communication skills and professionalism.

During the meeting, Ruiz Garcia said, the board asked for his opinion about the recent spending and personnel cuts at NASA. "I told them I thought it was a bad idea," he said. "I feel like we need as many people as possible at NASA to be going out there and discovering. We should be learning as much as we can about the things outside our planet.

"I joined the Air Force for a lot of reasons," Ruiz Garcia said, "but the best reason is that I wanted to find a good path and a secure future. The Air Force has given me time to grow up and get my career going."

Ruiz Garcia said that a necessary quality for any Airman is positivity. "You have to be a very positive and hardworking person. You can always have a good time no matter how much work you have."

As the Wing Airman of the Month, Ruiz Garcia will receive a personal visit from the 71st Flying Training Wing commander and the command chief; a one-day pass; a certificate of recognition; AAFES and SVS coupons; and a one night stay in a distinguished visitor suite at base lodging.

"I'm ready to have a good time and relax," Ruiz Garcia said.