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Reservist aces technical school courses

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brannen Parrish
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan --  Airman 1st Class Christopher Paulus accomplished a feat no active duty or Reserve Airman serving in his career field has ever accomplished by completing the the Electronic Principles course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the Communications, Navigation and Mission Systems Apprentice course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas with a 100 percent score on all of his assignments.

The courses consist of 24 blocks and 952 hours of combined instruction. Airman Paulus, who joined the Air Force Reserve in June, 2009 said that he set a goal of accomplishing a perfect score when he learned that 100 percent had never been accomplished in the Communications, Navigation and Mission Systems Apprentice course.

"I figured it had never been done, so I set it as goal," said Airman Paulus.
Airman Paulus said he accomplished the goal by setting aside an hour per night to study the material.

"I read over the material every night and made notes on anything I didn't understand, so that I could ask my instructor for clarification," Airman Paulus said. "The key was just making it a priority and making time for it."

Maj. Rick Rogers, 931st Aircraft Mainentance Squadron, commander says that Airmen Paulus's example is one that he hopes more Airmen emulate.

"I was overjoyed to find out about Airman Paulus's accomplishment," said Major Rogers. "He is a high-quality Airman and his example and study strategy is something all Airmen should try to emulate. There is always a temptation for people to do the bare minimum and he demonstrated a high level of dedication."

Major Rogers said that Paulus's academic accomplishment should allow aircraft crews to feel confident they are flying with well-maintained equipment. "If I were a pilot or part of an aircrew, I would be thankful to have someone of Airman Paulus's caliber working on my equipment.

Airman Paulus stated that he wasn't sure he would finish the course with a perfect score. During his final examination he was tempted to change some of his answers.
"I wasn't sure about the wording of a few questions," said Airman Paulus. "But I made a general rule that if there was a question I wasn't certain about, I wouldn't change it."