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IN FOCUS: Senior Master Sgt. Noel Price

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Crystal Charriere
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Senior Master Sgt. Noel Price, accessory flight chief in the 419th Maintenance Squadron, got a taste of Marine life when he attended the Marine Staff Noncommissioned Officer course at Camp Pendleton, Calif. earlier this year. Price was the only member from another service and the first enlisted Air Force Reservist selected to train there.

Why did you join the Air Force Reserve?

I was active duty for eight years and I wanted to spend more time with my son, but also wanted to continue serving, so the Reserve made sense.

What has been your best experience in the Reserve?

Taking the Marine Staff Non-commissioned Officer course at Camp Pendleton.

What was it like to train with Marines?

Marines are proud of their history and traditions. They pride themselves on doing their jobs with minimal or outdated equipment. They are also more focused on the physical rather than academic side of the military because their mission requires it. They have two physical fitness tests--one combat fitness test and another test similar to our physical fitness test. They are very conscious of rank as well; if you called someone by the wrong rank, you had to do push-ups immediately.

Were you treated differently because you're an Air Force Reservist?

I did my best to represent the Air Force well. Most were impressed that I completed their physical training tests. One day I came in last on a run. I told myself I would never be last again, and I wasn't. I never gave up.

What did you do there that you wouldn't have done at an Air Force school?

We had a simulation where I got to look up the coordinates to an enemy base. After I called the coordinates in to a pilot, I got to watch the plane travel towards the destination on a computer screen, drop the ammo and the enemy base disappear. It was really cool.

How would others benefit from working with other branches?

It's always good to go outside your comfort zone and experience a different aspect of the military, because you come back ready to meet new challenges and it reenergizes you. It was highly worth it. I hope that more classes like this open up and other members have a chance to train with other services. If you go in enthusiastic and ready to learn about another branch, the overall experience will be outstanding.

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