Warrior of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Markiesha Crawford

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- --  

Rank and name: Tech. Sgt. Markiesha Crawford

Unit: 319th Medical Support Squadron

Duty title: NCO in charge, Pharmacy Flight

Time in service: 14 years, 6 months

Hometown: Baltimore

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? Serving in the Air Force makes me feel like I am part of an enormous family that has an important mission to serve. Being able to serve in peacetime or wartime is something that we sign up for from day one. We wholeheartedly decide to make sacrifices for fellow service members and our civilian family members alike. Being able to serve my country has been such a blessing to not only me, but my family as well. It has shown my children that serving in our great Air Force is not only an honor, but more so a privilege. And I serve because I was afforded the privilege to do so.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why? The moment I am most proud of since becoming a Warrior of the North is being selected to be the 319th Medical Support Squadron's acting superintendent. I was very honored as my squadron commander, Lt. Col. Jason Buckner, personally asked me to fill this role for two months while we awaited the arrival of our inbound superintendent. I was given such a rare privilege to serve in this capacity and assist while broadening my leadership skills.

What is your favorite part of your job? I truly enjoy the interaction that I have with the patients that come to the pharmacy. I feel a part of a helping circle that ensures our patients receive the medication they require once they have been seen by their provider. Knowing that the pharmaceuticals I dispense to military, dependents and retirees help them overcome their ailments is such a comforting thought.

Who inspires you and why? I would say I am motivated by innovation. I am a technology fan, and applaud the creative and inventive ways to do more with less. As we all know the Air Force is and will continue to use force shaping and it is due to the technological advancements in various areas. Being able to do more with less while increasing the vital parts of a process is why I am inspired by innovation.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather? Although the weather was what was truly talked about upon my arrival, I was impressed with the schools. I have three young children and they attend the elementary school and the child development center on base. Knowing that my children are attending a good school and have teachers that care for the students, as much as I have seen since I have been stationed here is why I think Grand Forks Air Force Base is a cool place.