Fairchild's Finest: Staff Sgt. David DeMilt

Published June 23, 2014
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Name: Staff Sgt. David DeMilt

Unit: 92nd Comptroller Squadron

Duty title: Deputy disbursing officer/financial services supervisor/civilian pay technician

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild Air Force Base? I supervise financial services travel team, ensure that members' Defense Travel System orders and accrual vouchers are processed by my team in an accurate and timely manner, account for all disbursing operations at Fairchild and ensure that all funds are safeguarded and balanced to the penny daily. I am also currently working the Air Force-wide BAH recertification process here at Fairchild making sure that 1600+ members are being paid accurately and that we are in compliance with the AF FY15 audit readiness objectives.

What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy being able to work with customers on a daily basis and help them fix issues that may arise. Very seldom are two problems exactly alike and being able to research and understand them gives me the ability to make sure customers not only understand but are satisfied with the results, good or bad, because I did my job to the best of my ability.

Why did you choose to serve in the military? I chose to serve in the military for several reasons. I always had a desire to join, but I chose to wait and work and go to school and enjoy my twenties. I decided when I was 27 that I wanted to join and the solidifying moment for me was seeing my older brother graduate from Marine Corps boot camp. His determination and selflessness was the last tipping point to push me over the edge. The desire to serve my country on top of the many benefits like healthcare, the tuition assistance to help me finish school, and the security to know that I will have a job were all things that made me decide to join the military.

What is your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment in my life is the birth of my beautiful daughter Addison Quinn. She is the most amazing thing that I could have ever created with my wife.

What goals do you want to achieve or meet while at Fairchild Air Force Base? I am currently working on completing my Master's degree, so I am definitely going to finish that while I am here. Continuing to be a role model and great supervisor to everyone within my office and those I meet here is another goal. I have a goal to complete my Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and complete the necessary steps to apply for the officer corps. My wife and I will also be trying to have at least one other child while we are here. I have goals to travel and see as much as I can while I'm on this side of the United States and take full advantage of my time while I am here.

What is your favorite quote? "Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are" - John Wooden

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him/her? I think I have learned humbleness, kindness and caring the most from my mother and from my wife. I have learned the importance of organization, structure, financial management and work ethic from my father. They have both been the molding instruments that have shaped me into the person that I am today. My brother has been someone that always no matter what will tell you how he feels and never puts on a show about who he is to accommodate the image of what others may think. He has been someone that I have looked up to my entire life not only because he is my older brother and only brother, but because he has always shown me that no matter what, be yourself and don't ever change who you are just to please those around you. There have always been those along the way that can make those positive changes in my life to be those mentors for those moments in time, but my family will always be my greatest inspiration.

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why? If I could spend one hour with any person it would be Michael Jordan. Growing up I had the privilege of being able to watch him play and learn about his struggles and his dedication to perfection. Michael Jordan said "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." He knew that being the best meant that he would fail not only once, but many times throughout his career and I would like to hear about how he pushed himself and changed his mentality to overcome and ultimately to become what most would consider the greatest basketball player of all time.

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Fairchild's Finest: Staff Sgt. David DeMilt