Charlie West Spotlight: February 2020

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The Charlie West Spotlight for February 2020 is Master Sgt. Andrew Hill, the Medical Logistics Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) assigned to the 130th Medical Group’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P) detachment. 

 

Hill is a Beckley, W.Va. native and 1996 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. After graduating high school, he joined the active-duty Air Force as an Aircrew Ground Equipment (AGE) Mechanic. In 2000, Hill separated from active duty and joined the 167th Airlift Wing as a traditional guardsman, and later transferred to the 130th AGE in 2006. He became a full-time AGE technician in 2008 and served there for ten years until moving to CERFP in 2018, where he has held a full-time AGR position since.

 

Simultaneously with his military career, he earned a Bachelor’s in History and Political Science from West Virginia University in 2004 and a Masters in Secondary Education from Marshall University in 2008.

 

While not working hard at the 130th, Hill spends most of his free time surrounded by his family. He also helps coach sports that his three children participate in.

 

“I am most proud in life of my wife and children, and all of my family who has supported me throughout my life,” explained Hill. “ My wife, Jennifer, is a terrific spouse and mother to our kids, and she holds things together at the house and manages to do so while working a busy job.” 

 

Hill’s “best days” in his life and even at the 130th also center around his family.

 

“I’ve had several ‘best days’ of my life, but the ones that stick out at the top have to be the day I married my wife, and the days my children were born,” he said. “And at the 130th, my best days are always the ones returning safely home from trips, or getting to go home on Sunday from drill.”

 

His biggest professional goals are to finish his career development courses and upgrade training in the Medical Logistics career field.

 

“I’m working toward the day where most of everything I do in work becomes second nature and repetitious,” Hill said. “This job requires me to be competent in several different areas, and I’ve really had to learn to be more organized too, but I still have a ways to go.”

 

Hill’s service has given him a different outlook on what it's like to wear the uniform.

 

“Being in the military, you’re a role model even if you don’t want to be,” he explained. “I am so proud to be here and serve, but I try to keep that in perspective; I remind myself to be grateful for the support I receive from people, and I realize that I’m not owed anything. There are hard-working folks, and everyday heroes in this country that aren’t in the military.”

 

Hill also spoke about friendships, meeting people from different walks of life, and opportunities to travel that the guard has given him.