Radar maintainer Warrior of the Month

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • 71st Flying Training Wing public affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Rocky Weinmann, 71st Communication Squadron, is more than just an outstanding radar technician, according to the 71st CS mission systems flight chief.

"I think Rocky really represents what makes Vance so unique--our unusually effective and close military-civilian working relationships," Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Pitts said. "I regularly catch him helping out other work centers in areas beyond just radar maintenance, from using various computer programs to understanding the supply system.

"To me the 'icing on the cake' is that he even contributes his private time to prepare and perform as an aggressor for our Combat Readiness Courses-- a civilian spending personal time to warrior train our active duty warriors. The man is sharp, maintains excellent rapport with fellow members of Team Vance, is outstanding at his job and goes that extra mile to ensure our people are the well-trained warriors they need to be."

Mr. Weinmann left a 3800 acre family farm in his native Lignite, N. D., for the Air Force in 1998. His last active-duty assignment was at Spangdahlem AB, Germany from 2001 to 2005. He began his civil-service career at Vance shortly after separating from the service. Much in the same way he returned to working for the Air Force, he returns to the family farm every year to help with the harvest.

In addition to volunteering his time for combat warrior training, the 31-year old bachelor is an active member of his church group, counseling, at various locations including a local prison, individuals with alcohol problems. He also managed to make the deans list at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where he has a year left towards completion of bachelor's degree in technical management. His goal is to follow that with a master's in telecommunications from Oklahoma State University.

The little time he has left from his otherwise full schedule, Mr. Weinmann enjoys spending with his dogs Sadie, a Siberian Husky and Dakota, an Alaskan Malamute, while working on his Enid home.