Service to Your Country and Community

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Anthony W. Perez
  • 377th Security Forces Squadron
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Since Sept. 11, 2001, more young men and women have shown an interest in serving their country and community. The 377th Security Forces Squadron has played a vital role in enabling motivated and committed individuals to do both. 

As part of Kirtland AFB's lasting partnership with Albuquerque, the 377th Security Forces Squadron has established a joint venture with local law enforcement agencies. This enterprise permits enlisted personnel from the 377th Security Forces Squadron to attend a local law enforcement academy. 

While attending the academy, servicemembers are placed in a full-time training position, which allows them to focus solely on this endeavor. Although these service members are already seasoned law enforcement officers, they are not spared from the arduous process that gets them into the academy, not to mention the academy itself. 

Under the auspices of this program, the 377th Security Forces Squadron has successfully graduated five members from the Albuquerque Police Department's Academy and will soon be sending two more individuals to the Bernalillo County Sheriff Department's Academy. 

Currently under this program is Kirtland's own Senior Airman Brandon Levonius. Airman Levonius graduated from the Albuquerque Police Department in December, and is now completing his Field Training Certification Course. This course is hands-on training, and a culmination of six demanding months at the academy. 

Field Training consists of three phases, where an individual is evaluated by a certified Field Training Officer. This evaluation process takes several months, and is conducted under varying real-world circumstances. Graduates are expected to perform with the utmost degree of professionalism, judgment and respect for the public. 

"Being afforded the opportunity to serve both my country and community has been an extraordinary experience. I am proud to be an Airman. I always knew that I wanted to be a law enforcement officer. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that I am defending my country's freedom as well as protecting the citizens of Albuquerque," Airman Levonius said. 

"It is not too often that a person is able to help people in such a large capacity. My experiences going through the Academy did not differ much from Basic Military Training. The academy is a paramilitary environment similar to U.S. Marine Basic Training. The same stressors and discipline from BMT were applied in the Academy. Patrolling the streets of Albuquerque has been great. I am able to help people in need, and take criminals to jail all during one day of work," he said. 

The 377th Security Forces Squadron and the local law enforcement community have become beacons to several cities and provide an avenue for its members to serve both their country and community. Giving back to one's community is becoming a mantra here at the squadron. At Kirtland Air Force Base, we have the reputation for shouting HUAHHH and the infamous slogan, "We Defend!" However, outside of the gates we are quickly becoming known as those "Who Serve."