Two aerospace Airmen awarded below-the-zone promotions

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Two Airmen from the 71st Medical Operations Squadron were selected for below-the-zone promotion March 19.

Airmen 1st Class Ariel Schlenther and Toni Greka, both aerospace physiology technicians, were working on administrative tasks when the building was called to attention.

"I remember the day they made the announcement," said Schlenther. "We knew that two stripes were being given out, and I was really hoping we would both get one."

Col. Clark Quinn, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Peter Speen, the 71st FTW command chief, entered the building with a senior leadership posse following close behind. The pair called Schlenther and Greka to stand before them.

"I noticed right away that the commander had two blue folders in his hand," said Schlenther. "That's when I knew we were both selected."

Once Quinn made the formal announcement and presented the pair with their awards, the two friends hugged each other in a shared moment of excitement among the applause.

Below-the-zone promotions are part of a specialized program, which allows Airmen to sew on their senior airman stripes six months early. Airmen are selected based on their success in leadership, self-improvement and community involvement.

Schlenther and Greka started their Air Force careers together during Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, where they became fast friends. Schlenther was the dorm chief and Greka, the academics monitor.

As aerospace technicians, they teach student pilots essential skills they will use throughout their Air Force careers. Aerospace Physiology technicians teach students how to handle situations including tricks the eye can play while flying and emergency egress procedures from a grounded aircraft.

"I like engaging with the students, because it helps me become a better instructor," said Greka. "Plus, we are the first people to give them flying instruction."

One outstanding success within the aerospace physiology element sits with a rotating metal chair, which has proven to be an infamous savior of students struggling with motion sickness - called the Barany chair.

"I like working with students on the Barany chair because it helps them overcome their air sickness," said Schlenther. "It feels good knowing that I had a hand in saving someone's career. If they can't get over their air sickness, they are kicked out of pilot training.

"Thankfully, we have a 91 percent success rate in getting students to overcome their air sickness," she said.

"We are so grateful to everyone who helped us to get this award," said Greka. "They helped us prepare for the board, wrote our package, and gave us lots of other advice. There is no way we could have done it without their support."