Warrior of the Week: Master Sgt. Derek Power

Master Sgt. Derek Power, 319th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health flight chief, organizes booklets on stress management on April 25, 2013, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Power and the mental health staff provide patients and guests with a diverse selection of educational and informational materials to address various mental health concerns and topics, such as depression, anxiety and anger management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Warrior of the Week: Master Sgt. Derek Power

(Right) Master Sgt. Derek Power, 319th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health flight chief, shows the 319th Medical Group superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Marc Schoellkopf, a new stack of Air Force ACE suicide prevention program cards on April 25, 2013, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Power was selected as the base’s Warrior of the Week for the first week of May 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Warrior of the Week: Master Sgt. Derek Power

Published May 1, 2013
By Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE -- Rank and name: Master Sgt. Derek Power

Unit: 319th Medical Operations Squadron

Duty title: Flight chief, Mental Health

Time in service: 18 years, 7 months

Hometown: Texarkana, Texas

1. Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?

Pride in our country is important to me. The foundation of our country provides the opportunity for a better way of life. Just about every generation of my family, that I can recall, has served the military. From my father as an Air Force enlisted turned officer, to my Army enlisted grandfathers (one of whom was a prisoner of war in World War II), to generations who served in various regiments in the 1700s. My ancestors were fighting at the creation of our country and I wanted to continue the tradition by being part of the greatest team in the world defending the greatest country in the world.

2. What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?

I enjoy being part of a smaller community and filling in as needed. Be it fill-in for First Sergeant, Superintendent, or covering front desk I want to make sure we work together to keep the mission moving.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job so far is meeting the team and building camaraderie. It is great to work with a close-knit team that is ready to support each other. Our senior NCOs are focused on taking care of the medical group and its patients.

4. Who inspires you and why?

My family is my inspiration. No matter what happens in life, no matter what your accomplishments have been, family knows you best and will be there to support you through highs and lows, as you should be for them.

5. What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?

I enjoy the small-town community mindset the base projects. Coming from the (Washington) D.C. area, it was nice to see a laid back pace. I hope to see that continue once the snow melts, if it ever does.