Airman excels as wingman, leader, warrior, poet

Published Sept. 23, 2009
By Senior Airman Kathrine McDowell
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) -- Endurance, willpower and passion are three traits embodied by Senior Airman Jazmin Wilson, an interface control technician with the 609th Air and Space Operations Center here.

She excels at her job, volunteers whenever possible and the majority of her free time is spent mentoring local third, fourth and fifth graders at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club.

And then, somehow, she still finds time for her true love: Her poetry.

Airman Wilson started writing at age 15. She grew up as the daughter of active duty Army parents, and her father was a strict disciplinarian.

"I didn't know how to express my feelings," Airman Wilson said. "I started writing everything down in letters and gave them to my father to read. Eventually I was writing poetry."

Eventually, what started as a form of expression evolved into an expression of art. And the same traits the Airman lives by - endurance, willpower, passion - became the theme of her first published book, "Journey to My Identity From a Poetic Standpoint."

"I wrote it because I think there a lot of young women (who) can relate to it," she said. "Many feel like they are alone. I want to reach out and let them know they're not."

But poetry isn't her only passion. She also loves to motivate others. She speaks to young women at programs such as the United Way Diamond Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and children through the Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Club.

"My goal is to be a motivational speaker," Airman Wilson said. "I feel as if there are not enough young women out there that mentor young girls. Young girls would look up more and be inspired by someone closer to their age instead of someone in their late 30s or 40s that can't really fit into their scene."

But Airman Wilson's spirit and determination don't only impact the people she speaks to. They affect everyone her life touches, including friends, family members and even coworkers.

"The guidance that she gives children leads some to stay away from trouble," says Staff Sgt. Calvin Carnathan, Airman Wilson's supervisor. "She inspires them to do well in school and participate in activities that keep them social and keep their minds free from worries that the world may bring."

Airman Wilson is also working on an application for the Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC program, a commissioning opportunity for enlisted Airmen to complete a bachelor's degree as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet.

"I feel very proud of her for making the decision to become an officer and help lead the way to the success of our future Air Force," Sergeant Carnathan said. "I have no doubt in my mind that she will be a great leader when her time comes. She will be an outstanding officer."

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