Work Force program comes to Tyndall Published Aug. 4, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affaris TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Gulf Coast Community College Work Force Program students have been working hard around Tyndall Air Force Base for the last eight weeks building fences, cleaning up the camp grounds, clearing walkways and much more. Teamed up with The Natural Resources Department, the program supplied 15 students a chance from local high schools to help out with the work load. Tyndall has hosted the Work Force program for ten years, allowing students to get a taste of the real world. "The belief is to put the kids in the community and give them work skills," said Kenny C. McGill, the instructor from the Tyndall AFB Work Force Program. Mr. McGill has been involved with this program for eight years and has recently retired from Rutherford High School after teaching for 28 years. Before they are able to join the Work Force Program, the students are given a two day class. The class teaches them the basic fundamentals and etiquette before they are set out into the community. The students are then split into groups. Tyndall AFB is only one of the locations that the program reaches out to. Some groups are assigned to local nursing homes, the Humane Society, Good Will Catholic Charities and The Boys and Girls Club. While on Tyndall, the students have spent most of their time outdoors. "They enjoyed it," said Wendy G. Gierhart, a Wildlife Biologist from the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron, Natural Resources. "For some of them, it was their first time seeing snakes, spiders, scorpions, and other wildlife." The students spent a lot of time using hand tools. "Some kids have never used hand tools," said Mr. McGill. "This gives them experience working with stuff they have not done before." While on Tyndall AFB the Work Force Program has achieved a lot. The students cleared the boat landing near Crooked Landing and built a fence to help guide and prevent vehicles from destroying the surrounding habitat. A lot of time was spent at the campgrounds where they cleared room for a parking area, put up fencing, cleaned a walkway, added steps to the bay, and removed vegetation to allow more space for tents. They also cleaned and re-fenced the Massalina and Merrywood cemeteries and cleared a walkway to the fishing area at Red Fish Point. "We would love to have them back next year," said Mrs. Gierhart. "They accomplish a tremendous amount of work and learn valuable skills for their futures."