Panther of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Rau

  • Published
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Name: Technical Sergeant Nicholas Rau, 460th Space Wing Public Affairs, NCOIC Community Engagement

Length of Service:  9 years

Hometown: Pinckney, Michigan

Hobbies:  Football, Golf, Video Games, Table Top Strategy Games

Unique fact:  Has seen a ghost!

Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Rau joined the Air Force Jan. 10, 2006, as a Munitions System journeyman. His first assignment was to Misawa Air Base, Japan, where he spent most of his spare time taking in the culture of Japan and exploring the country with his wingmen. After spending 6 years as AMMO, he crosstranined into Public Affairs. One of his short term goals is to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Communications and a long term goal is to be a strong role model for up and coming Airmen. He enjoys helping out with planning events on base, such as Patriot Day, Women's Equality Day, and Combat Dining Out.

"Rau has been instrumental in the resurgence of community activity at Buckley AFB and opportunities for Team Buckley members to engage both on and off base.  He fostered partnerships with the professional sports teams that has led to service members meeting the Colorado Rockies, being at Colorado Rockies Opening Day events, highlighted at both the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche Military Appreciation Days, attending the Denver Broncos Draft Picks as well as the Military Combine hosted at the Broncos Training Facility.  In addition to being a community liason, as a photojournalist he has won 1st Place Feature Photography, 3rd Place Commentary and 3rd Place Outsanding New Writer all at the Air Force Level while at Buckley AFB. Also during this time, he has filled the crucial role of Community Support Coordinator, making sure that our Team Buckley members have the resources in the community that they can connect to if they need assistance.  This has allowed Rau to work with organizations such as Wounded Warrior, all in an effort to ensure our service members and their families are taken care of."

--Auburn Davis, 460th Space Wing Public Affairs chief