Riddick

Staff Sgt. Atkins Riddick, 319th Security Forces assistant flight sergeant for Bravo Flight, briefs security forces Airmen on what road hazardous and weather conditions to expect while on patrol. Riddick ensured the defenders took note of changes to force protection conditions and other law enforcement-related updates during guard mount, Feb. 29, 2012 at the armory on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Guard mount refers to an official formation among designated Air Force security forces members, which is typically held after all security personnel have received their weapons and equipment before the start of their respective shift. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Staff Sgt. Atkins Riddick, 319th Security Forces assistant flight sergeant for Bravo Flight, briefs security forces Airmen on what type of road violations to expect while on patrol. Riddick briefed the defenders during guard mount, Feb. 29, 2012 at the armory on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Guard mount refers to an official formation among designated Air Force security forces members, which is typically held after all security personnel have received their weapons and equipment before the start of their respective shift. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Atkins Riddick

Published March 1, 2012
By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Just as people around the country depend on civilian police officers to protect their communities while they go about their everyday activities, so do the service members and their families who work and live on military installations around the globe.

The Airmen of the security forces career field are counted on to guard many of these base communities and keep them as safe as possible while they accomplish their day-to-day mission.

One of these Airmen is Staff Sgt. Atkins Riddick, Grand Forks Air Force Base's newest Warrior of the Week.

"Sergeant Riddick is knowledgeable and trustworthy and that's exactly the kind of qualities you look for an NCO to have, especially one in this type of career field," said Tech. Sgt. Kingsley Scott, 319th Security Forces flight sergeant for Bravo-flight.

Riddick serves as the assistant flight sergeant for Bravo Flight.

His duties include managing flight operations and training Airmen on local regulations, as well as use of force, in daily operations. Riddick said training the Airmen is the thing he enjoys doing the most about his job.

"It gives me the opportunity to make sure that they are trained the right way, but it also serves as an opportunity to mentor them," said the 28-year-old NCO from Newport News, Va. "Whether it's mentoring them on a personal issue or something related to our job as Airmen, I think I should see what I can do to help."

Riddick said one of his career goals is to become an instructor for the Security Forces Academy at Lackland AFB, Texas. It's a goal his supervisor supports 100 percent and hopes he will one day achieve.

"Staff Sgt. Riddick is not afraid to correct Airmen when they are doing something wrong or praise them when they are doing well," said Scott. "I always tell him we aren't going to be here forever and that a big part of job is making sure we correctly train our replacements."

Scott thinks the Air Force would benefit from having Riddick as an instructor.

"He would do a great job in molding the next generation of defenders," Scott said.

Riddick

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