Super Saber Performer Published Dec. 13, 2012 By Staff Reports 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Name: Airman 1st Class Austin Walker Unit: 52nd Operations Support Squadron Duty title: Aircrew Flight Equipment journeyman Hometown: Wilmington, Del. Years in Service: Two years Why joined: I joined mainly to be my own man. The military is a service that will mold a person. It can take an immature teen and make him or her a responsible adult. Education, as for many other people, also played a role in my choice of the Air Force. When I separate from the military, I know I can stand on my own two feet comfortably from the things I've learned. Family: Father, Vince Sr.; mother, Gayle; and older brother, Vince Hobbies: Playing sports, traveling and sneaker collecting Favorite aspect of job: Working hands on with survival gear daily that is directly beneficial to exercises, TDYs, deployments and the lives of the pilots who use it. Most memorable Air Force experience: Volunteering to play in the St. Martin's Special Children's Day basketball game. It was a game for not only a good cause to raise money but to simply show students that their disabilities don't have to hold them back. They could really play well. We lost to the kids that day, but it was never about competition. It was all good fun, and that group of kids just showed everyone in the gym that egos can be put aside for the team. Everybody wins that way regardless of score. How do you make responsible choices: For me, it's simple. I just think before I do. My grandmother always told me, "Young man, the things which you decide to choose today, others will choose to decide who you are tomorrow." Being a-know-it-all child, I never paid it much mind, but now I understand that my actions reflect how people perceive me. At times, I falter but I try to be cautious of my decisions knowing that I have to live with all the consequences that follow.