Airman of the Month: Strength and Resiliency

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Airman 1st Class Kirk Shultz, 436th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, joined the military after being fed up with his current job situation.

"I worked retail on and off for about five years after I graduated high school in 2006, I can't stand retail," said Shultz. "And, I was complaining about my job to friend of mine that had just gotten back from Iraq. His simple answer was 'why not join the military?'"

Shultz was about two months away from getting a loan finalized and going to college.

"He had a point with joining the military," said Shultz. "Being so close to paying for college the incentive to not pay for college was one I loved."

Shultz wanted to work with computers and get a degree in computer science and networking.

"I was going to move to California after I got my degree because computer jobs over there are insane and they pay a lot," said Shultz. "Then I found out there are a lot more opportunities in the Air Force to do anything computer then in the civilian world."

Shultz joined in Nov. 2011 as AFE and his first base was Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

"I was at Moody AFB for six months before I found out about the humanitarian move I was then able to PCS to Dover AFB to be with my father and mother," said Shultz. "My father has terminal cancer and it was important I spend what time I could with him."

Shultz's father, Barry Shultz, has fourth stage renal kidney cancer and Airman Shultz is the sole provider for his father and mother.

"While many of his peers have enjoyed time with friends on leisurely weekends, he spent his time transporting his father to and from medical appointments (in multiple states)," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Watson, 436th Operations Support Squadron AFE superintendent. "And, was able to locate a suitable home that supports his father's condition and get the best care for his father."
Barry has been fighting cancer since 2010 and is now bed ridden.

"He has had some of the outer tumors removed but for his condition he is too sick for them to operate," said Shultz. "He was taking chemo pills, but Medicare only pays for Hospice or medication and since it is toward the end of his life we want to make him comfortable."

Shultz pulls inspiration from his father's struggle.

"My father is the first person in our family to have this disease," said Shultz. "He alone is a major inspiration, with his ongoing battle with cancer and his refusal to give up on life."
Shultz is a part of a program to revamp AFE's records management program.

"He has completed 95% of upgrade training, qualified on multiple equipment assets, taken on duties as ADPE custodian, records management and squadron information assurance officer," said Watson. "He also has taken the lead in fixing an outdated program and implementing a Major Command directed computer system and overhauled a records management program."

Watson chose to have Shultz be highlighted as Airman of the month.

"We all have certain people in our careers that we deeply respect for their strength and resiliency," said Watson. "With nearly 20 years of service, I am proud to say I have found another within Shultz.