NCO interns at fitness center to finish degree

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In the Air Force world, a new Airman who's completed his schooling and is ready to begin on-job-training is called a three-level. In the collegiate world, an Airman who's completed his schooling, but needs some on job training is called... an intern.

Staff Sgt. Michael Osborn, of the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, is an intern. What's unique about Osborn is he's combined the Air Force world with the collegiate world by completing his internship at the 96th Force Support Squadron's fitness facilities. He began his two-month internship this month to complete his bachelor's degree in sports management from Troy University.

Over the next two month, Osborn will earn college credit while working on major FSS sports management projects like the annual Gate-to-Gate run and My First Tri. He'll also take part in and even facilitate various courses the fitness center offers.

"This is a unique and beneficial opportunity for him," said Lt. Col. Jason Delamater, the 96th Force Support Squadron commander. "The Air Force and our installation leadership are huge supporters of continuing education programs for our Airmen. I'm pleased we can play a part in Sergeant Osborn's educational pursuits. We look forward to his spending the next few months working with our fitness staff."

Involvement with sports and athletics has always been a passion for the six-year veteran. He worked with the Buccaneers football team in his hometown of Tampa before joining the Air Force and would like to return to that type of career after serving. Since joining the Air Force, he's worked as a referee, coach and physical training leader for his squadron.

It's great to find something you love doing and to make it your career works out pretty well," said Osborn.

Osborn will devote 10-12 hours per week to the internship, along with his duties with the 16th. He'll intern directly for Ben Gleason, Eglin's military fitness program liaison, and report his progress back to the university weekly.

"Spring is a busy time for us with new programs underway and our large projects beginning, so the timing is perfect." said Gleason, who helped Osborn get approval to intern with FSS. "He'll be exposed to all these different areas and learn how the fitness center operates."

Osborn said he felt the fitness center would provide more unique opportunities, while also providing the flexibility to work with and around his active-duty schedule.

"I'd be able to be more involved here than say with another organization where I could end up just handing out towels or programs," he said.

Osborn said he plans to take leave to devote time to the bigger projects like the gate-to-gate and My First Tri projects. Along with the college credits, he said he'll apply his new knowledge to continually improve the overall PT program for his squadron.

"SSgt Osborn is a perfect candidate to handle an internship and balance his responsibilities as an Airman," said Master Sgt. Derek Powell, electronic warfare section chief with the 16th EWS. "When he brought the opportunity to us, we told him to go for it. We fully support him on his path to a bachelor's degree. We know education is important and this will make him a better leader and improve our NCO corp."