Warrior of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Greg Posada

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Tait
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Keeping his Colombian heritage close to his heart, one accomplished Airman at Grand Forks attributes his success in the Air Force to his drive and to the opportunities he has that differ from his peers in his home country.

"I always compare my life now to what I would have had in Colombia," said Tech. Sgt. Greg Posada, 319th Command Post NCO in charge of Console Operations. "At my age, the opportunities and the things I have accomplished to this point don't compare. I would just be in Colombia trying to make ends meet."

Moving from Bogota, Colombia, to South Florida at the age of 10, Posada made it a priority to learn English immediately.

"For my first day of elementary school, I went to lunch and I had to eat a plain burger because I didn't know how to ask for ketchup," Posada said. "That was my motivation to hurry up and learn English because I didn't want to eat a plain burger ever again. Now nobody knows that English is my second language because I barely have an accent."

Posada's upbringing was heavily influenced by his large family.

"My dad passed away when I was 1, but I still had quite a few father figures in my life; and when I got in trouble as a kid I would get talked to eight different times," Posada joked. "My grandfather is by far the biggest person in my life that motivates me to do a lot of things."

Military service is embedded into the schools in Colombia and it is no surprise that Posada chose a military career in the United States.

"I left Colombia right before I would have entered the military academy," said Posada. "I think I would have ended up following my grandfather and uncles' footsteps if I would have stayed there. Looking at school opportunities and other benefits, I joined the Air Force at the age of 17."

Retraining from the personnel career field into command post, Posada's journey to Grand Forks, N.D. was filled with hesitation.

"Initially I was very apprehensive about going into a career field that I didn't want and an assignment that I didn't want either," Posada said. "Eventually I realized that this was the Air Force's way of telling me to get school done and work on myself professionally. It turned out ten times better than I thought."

Staying true to his motivations for joining, Posada has taken advantage of school opportunities.

"I just got my CCAF last week in personnel and I am one class away from having my CCAF in this career field. I think that was the best thing that came out of this assignment. The way I look at it, I have eight years to finish my degree before I retire," joked Posada.

Another great accomplishment Posada achieved during this assignment is earning NCO of the Quarter for the 319th Air Base Wing.

His visibility on the base isn't confined to award ceremonies; Posada's second home is on the field.

"Soccer is my sport," said Posada, who is the team captain for the Director of Staff intramural soccer team. "I have been playing since I was 5 years old. I also enjoy volleyball, golf and softball. I try to do anything active."

In addition to sports, this thrill seeker enjoys skydiving, snowboarding and riding his motorcycle.

"I am all about pushing the limits for the adrenaline rush," said Posada. "I figure I got to try everything at least once. Life is too short."

He also enjoys a wide variety of music, from country to salsa.

"There is a salsa club in my house," joked Posada. "It is fun to dance and it is a good workout too."

Posada has his sights on a 20-year career and hopefully making master sergeant before he retires to South Florida.

"Ever since I've joined, I tried to go back home and the closest I got was Omaha, Nebraska," laughed Posada.