McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, W.Va. -- The Charlie West Spotlight for March 2019 is Ansted, W.Va. native Staff Sgt. Corey Wilson, a Security Forces Patrolman assigned to the 130th Security Forces Squadron.
Wilson has been with the unit for eight years, serving six of those and counting as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Technician. During his time at the 130th, Wilson has accumulated many awards and recognitions, including a Purple Heart Medal and Airman of the Year Award in 2013, and last year receiving his Community College of the Air Force Associates in Applied Science.
“Staff Sgt. Wilson is one of our most well-rounded and eager NCO’s, when he’s asked to do something, he’s all in,” said Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Hughes, 130th SFS Superintendent. “He has covered for positions outside of his norm while members were deployed, and overall, he’s just an excellent example of the military mindset.”
Wilsons “military mindset” also gives him a huge sense of pride serving the 130th.
“The best thing about the 130th are the friendships and camaraderie shared throughout the unit,” said Wilson. “That sense of pride that comes with serving my country and state, that’s what being in the 130th means to me.”
As a military member, his goal is to make Master Sergeant in 20 AGR years, which you see often, but his reasoning exemplifies what it means to be a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).
“Once I hit my 20 I want to move on so I’m not holding up the younger Airmen in the SFS from moving up in rank,” Wilson explained. “I would like to be a Flight Chief or run my own program, but above all, I want to leave my unit knowing that I served my time and set a good example for the Airmen below me.”
After he completes his time and retires, his biggest goal is to own a cattle ranch.