TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Continuing a lineage of service that his family started, a Tyndall Airman excels both in his medical job and in his commitment to preserving the Air Force esprit de corps by serving in the base honor guard.
Airman 1st Class Justin Anderson was recognized by his leadership for his exemplary work ethic and drive as a 325th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician.
The 21-year-old native of Biloxi, Mississippi, lived there his whole life prior to joining the Air Force. After basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and technical training school at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Anderson left the “Lone Star State” and arrived here, where he is dual employed by the 325th MDSS and the base honor guard.
Anderson comes from a long line of U.S. service members, so joining the Air Force was a natural choice.
“A lot of my family is Air Force, I also did JROTC in high school and enjoyed the structure of it all,” he said. “My mother, Ladean Hoehn, is currently an active duty Air Force technical sergeant. My grandfathers, Richard Anderson and Gary Schwatz, are both retired enlisted Air Force.”
Anderson performs many duties within the pharmacy, but his most important responsibility is ensuring the right people get the right medications.
“I currently do the ordering of all medicines and supplies, fill prescriptions and controlled prescriptions, and provide good customer service,” Anderson said. “I am also a Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety, where I am a trainer.”
Anderson also serves on the honor guard, which he finds a very rewarding experience. Being able to give service members the last honors, or being part of varying change of commands is something he looks forward to, he said.
Not allowing his dedication to his primary job be affected by other obligations, Anderson has plans for his future in the pharmacy. Although having only been in the pharmacy for roughly a year and a half, Anderson has ambitions to complete a degree, because he wants to become a pharmacist.
His supervisor spoke about his strong work ethic and the type of person Anderson is at work.
“Airman Anderson always brings a positive attitude, attention to detail, is eager to learn new things, and likes to take on new challenges head on. He is a great wingman,” said Tech Sgt. Donny Vila, 325MDSS NCO in charge of the pharmacy. “Working in a customer service environment, he provides care and excellent service to our patients. He makes my job easy, and he always takes pride in his job.”
Anderson is married and also has two dogs. He makes every effort to leave the stresses of work where it belongs, so he can spend time with his family and pursue interests of his own, he said. “My hobbies consist of anything that is car related and I also love to do watersports, such as wakeboarding and kayaking.”
Anderson shared his philosophy for being a good Airman, urging Airmen to not lose sight of the mission. “Be great at your job regardless of what you do. Stay positive in your workplace as much as possible, because your day is only as positive as you make it and one day you will be recognized for it.”