Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Allison P. Lai

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Name: Staff Sgt. Allison P. Lai

Unit: 319th Medical Operations Squadron

Duty title: NCO-in-charge of Dental Support

Time in service:  9 Years, 11 Months

Time on station:  2 Years

Hometown:  Norfolk, VA.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?

The Air Force was my chance to do more than what staying in my home town would have offered. I am extremely grateful for all that the Air Force has given me the opportunity to achieve.

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

The moments that make me proud are when my Airmen succeed. I like seeing them win awards and getting recognition for the amazing things that they accomplish.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite parts of my job are the moments when I see improvement with the oral hygiene of my patients. It makes me feel that in some small way I made a difference in someone's life, even if they won't see it until they're older.

Who or what inspires you and why?

I was stationed with a Master Sgt. at Misawa Air Base, Japan that would say something along the lines of, "If you're having a bad day, just try smiling. Eventually that smile will be real." When applying this to my work I found that it was easier to get through the workday. I didn't let the small things get to me and the people around me seemed happier as well.

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

The small community allows for a greater feeling of involvement. At larger bases it's easy to get lost in the crowd, but here you can actually put faces to names, which fosters a sense of belonging.

Do you have any military service family members or anyone close to you that has served? If so when and where did they serve?

A lot of my family served in the military. My grandfather and great grandfather served during World War II. I also have four uncles and a cousin who served in the military.