Staff Sgt. Michael Mechaley, 460th CPTS

Published July 16, 2008

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK -- Staff Sgt. Michael Mechaley from the 460th Comptroller Squadron has served in the Air Force for six years and is Buckley's Warrior of the Week for July 18 - 24. Sergeant Mechaley hails from Omaha, Neb., and enjoys playing bass, reading and fishing.

How do your day to day duties impact the Air Force mission?
I ensure that military members stationed at Buckley are paid properly and are properly reimbursed for government ordered travel. I also assist in processing Department of Defense civilian employee pay and assist with problems they may have with their pay. I am also the deputy disbursing officer for base collecting and disbursing.

If you could change one thing about the Air Force what would it be?
I would increase manpower. With the increasing workload put on today's Airmen, it simply doesn't make sense not to have a larger force. Simply stating that, "Airmen need to step up to the challenge" does nothing to alleviate the amount of stress and work they are actually performing. Many airmen are stepping up and are simply being bombarded with more work and responsibility. That is not to say that they cannot handle it, but it will come to the point when it is no longer safe to do so. There is a fine line between "stepping up" and overextending the force to a point where safe operations are no longer possible.

Why do you serve?
I joined the military for the educational benefits and security it provides for my family and me. The other reason would be to travel. I have been able to live and travel to places that I probably would have never been able to until later in life. I really like seeing other cultures and learning their history.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Air Force?
There have been far too many to mention.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
I'm not trying to sound cheesy but, if a great family could be considered a personal accomplishment then that would be it. My wife and kids are by far what I am most proud of. Everything else is second rate.

If you were not in the military, where would you be right now?
I would be teaching high school history.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What would you be doing?
If I am still in the military I would like to be commissioned. If that doesn't work out, I would like to be a first sergeant. If I am not in the military I would like to be teaching high school history.

Military Accomplishments
Air Force Achievement Medal
2006 31st Maintenance Squadron Airman of the Year
2006 31st MXS Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award Winner
Airman Leadership School Honor Graduate, Class 07-D, Aviano Air Base, Italy
Honor Student Financial Management Technical School

460th CPTS Warrior of the Week