Senior Airman Jeremiah Golding, ARPC

Published March 18, 2009

TEAM BUCKLEY WARRIOR OF THE WEEK -- Senior Airman Jeremiah Golding, a DD 214 service team technician at Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center, Colo., is Team Buckley's Warrior of the Week for Mar. 20 - 26.

Airman Golding recently hit three years of service in the Air Force and hails from Eastland, Texas, where he says Old Rip, the "horny toad," put Eastland County and the county seat of the same name on the map back in 1928.

He says, folks are still amazed and amused by the critter's tale. The story began in 1897, when a horned lizard, the animal's proper designation, was placed in the cornerstone of the county's third courthouse. When that edifice was demolished in February 1928 to make way for the current art deco model, the cornerstone was opened. According to published accounts, a crowd of three thousand showed up to see the opening of the old building's time capsule. Much to everyone's surprise, when the marble box was opened the interred lizard was still alive -- 31 years later. Despite skeptics who questioned how the critter could have survived, the lizard was dubbed Old Rip, after Rip Van Winkle, and became an instant celebrity. Town folks took him on a tour of the nation that included a stop in Washington, D.C., to meet President Calvin Coolidge.

In his free time, Airman Golding enjoys playing every type of saxophone and the guitar. He likes to snowboard, surf, play any and every sport, work on cars, camp and collect model cars.

What is the combat capability that this person exemplified to earn the title, "Warrior of the Week?"
"Airman Golding exemplified his combat capability by providing military inquiries and updates through our Personnel Services Delivery allowing combat Airmen to focus on their wartime tasking," said Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Vail, HQ ARPC Superintendant. "His mission focus and fit-to-fight leadership, takes care of those deployed, allowing deployed Airmen to take care of the mission."

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Air Force mission?
I provide personnel services for Total Force Airmen supporting contingencies stateside and overseas.

If you could change one thing about the Air Force what would it be?
I volunteered to serve, if I didn't like it or thought it needed to be changed, I wouldn't have enlisted.

Why do you serve?
Patriotism and family tradition.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Air Force?
I would have to say my most memorable experience is Basic Military Training. It helped me become more patient with my fellow wingmen and to overcome obstacles to complete tasks.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
Staying away from the lifestyle I was raised around.

If you were not in the military, where would you be? Why?
I would probably still be working as the second shift leadman at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego. Because San Diego was too expensive not to work full time, I probably would never finish school.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What will you be doing?
Still serving in the Air Force as an officer.

Military accomplishments:
-- April 28, 2006, completed Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
-- June 20, 2006, completed technical school with the highest grade of all non-prior-military students, Keesler AFB, Miss.
-- February 2007, completed Career Development Courses
-- May 2007, received Star of the Month Award for the Directorate of Personnel Services
-- July 2007, received ARPC Chief's Choice Award
-- Feb. 13, 2008, received commander's coin from Brig. Gen. Eric Crabtree, former ARPC commander
-- April - June 2008, received Airman of the Quarter Award
-- Jan. - Dec. 2008, Directorate Airman of the Year
-- August 2008, completed 5-level and on-the-job training
-- I currently serve as a member of the HQ ARPC Honor Guard.