Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. George Childres

  • Published
  • By Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The mission of the United States Air Force Honor Guard is "to represent Airmen to the American Public and the World." Ensuring this mission is accomplished on Grand Forks Air Force Base is Staff Sgt. George Childres, 319th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard program manager.

Sergeant Childres trains and instructs volunteering Airmen on a daily basis through drills and practices to keep the team prepared for ceremonies throughout the Air Force. But yet he is still unwilling to take any personal credit.

"Don't thank me," said Childres. "None of anything we represent or do is possible without the Airmen. I love working with them, it's one of the best parts of the job."

It is a volunteer job that Childres will be doing for at least two years; one slightly different than what he anticipated growing up.

"It probably sounds cheesy, but I've always wanted to be a fighter jet pilot," he said. "I've always been fascinated with fighter jets. I'd like to fly the F-22 Raptor. When I was stationed at Langley we dealt with the F-22 on a daily basis."

Although commissioning and attempting to become a pilot isn't out of the realm of possibility, Childres doesn't foresee change in the near future.

"I'm definitely content with where I'm at in life and with my job," said Childres. "It is a privilege to work in a career field in which I serve and honor the people that sacrificed so much for us all."

Next month will mark six years in the military for Childres, and for a Texas native the North Dakota weather isn't too intimidating. After grade school Childres moved from Texas to Colorado where he discovered his favorite all-time activity--snowboarding.

"I absolutely love it," said Childres. "My dream vacation would be to snowboard down the biggest mountain in the world. Just helicopter me to the top so I could ride it all the way to the bottom."

His love for sports doesn't stop there.

"I'm an all-around sports fanatic," he said. "I'll even find myself watching weird sports. I watch pool, darts, cricket, and tennis. I especially love watching the Olympics and all major American sports."

Sergeant Childres is also currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Logistics Management.