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Airman finds purpose in recruiting

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kwang Woong Kim
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  It took a life-changing assignment for Tech. Sgt. Summer Chamberlain to realize her calling as a recruiter.

Chamberlain, the Health Professions Medical and Dental Accessions NCO in charge at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service, was a dental technician at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in 2000 when she received orders to Dover AFB, Del.

Shortly after she arrived, Chamberlain was offered an opportunity to work at the Dover Port Mortuary, due to her skillset.

"I was one of the very few dental technicians who had experience with using cephalographic x-rays," Chamberlain said. "I did not know much about the mission, but thought it would be a great opportunity to help."

With the job came long hours and emotional experiences.

"When you are identifying remains, sometimes there would be personal effects that these fallen service members have, whether it's family photos, rings or jewelry," Chamberlain said. "It puts the human element to it. I had to try my best to be emotionally disassociated in order to not be impacted by it, but it's difficult to not care."

Chamberlain spent the next four years handling the remains of more than 500 service members and civilians. At times, Chamberlain had to fulfill dual roles as a dental technician and directly helping the families of the fallen as a command chief executive assistant.

"I would help the families who have flown in for their fallen child, sibling, parent, or loved one," Chamberlain said. "After that I would go help identify the remains of those fallen service members. It was difficult."

She reached the point where she knew it was time for a change.

"My time working at mortuary affairs really made me realize how short life can be and how much it really matters to take care of each other," Chamberlain said. "It reinforced my commitment to stay in the Air Force."

Whatever path she chose, she knew it would revolve around helping people.

For Chamberlain, helping people started at an early age. Growing up in the little town of Waverly, N.Y., she spent her youth volunteering as a candy striper at a local hospital helping nurses and spending time with pediatric and elderly patients.

"She's the kind of person who will help those in need, no matter what," said Dave Woodcock, Chamberlain's father. "Her personality and kindness always have a positive influence on others."

Chamberlain attributed many of her life decisions to her parents and role models.
"I grew up listening to stories about my dad's time in the Army, and my mom told many stories about her parents and their service," Chamberlain said. "As a little girl, my grandmother would tell me that when I grew up, I should be an Airman. She was a nurse at Walter Reed and was a big influencer in my life."

Chamberlain found direction when an incident in 2003 cemented her career decision.
"I was on-call when I was notified of a suicide," Chamberlain said. "When I went to identify the body, I noticed that the Airman was one of my routine patients at the dental clinic.

"After seeing so many young service members lose their lives, it gave me focus on what I wanted my impact to be on the Air Force," Chamberlain said.

She found that opportunity as an enlisted accessions recruiter.

"During my first four years, I was able to recruit great people and help inspire them to become great Airmen," Chamberlain said.

Chamberlain embraced the relationships she built with recruits and families during her four years in the Scranton, Pa., recruiting office.

"I felt like a mother duck," she said. "I spent time getting to know the recruits, their families and developing professional relationships. It felt as though they were my little ducklings."

"I kept in touch with many of them ... and worried for them all the time because many of those who I recruited became Security Forces Airmen," Chamberlain added. "It brought back memories of the Security Forces Airmen I had to identify at Dover."

With her love of taking care of people, it was only natural for her to become a Health Professions recruiter when her enlisted recruiting assignment ended.

"I knew that every medical professional who I recruited into the Air Force, they would in turn help Airmen in need," Chamberlain said. "With their help, I knew that more lives could be saved."

She described the day she received a call from an anonymous Airman. He explained that a nurse had saved his life in Afghanistan and he thanked Chamberlain for recruiting her. That call solidified her purpose of what she was there to do.

"My grandmother taught me that being in the military would be an honor and a privilege," Chamberlain said. "During my 15-year career, I have been blessed to have served my country. I will continue to serve until the day they tell me to retire."

Chamberlain will lead a new wave of Health Professions recruiters when she becomes a flight chief this summer.

"Recruiting has been rewarding because of the legacy I am able to leave behind," Chamberlain said. "It is an honor to work with and be fueled by great Airmen and future Airmen daily. I hope that I can continue to do my part in helping shape the future of the Air Force and leave it a better place than when I came in."