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Fairchild's Finest Staff Sgt. Laura Grainger

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Lackey
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Rank and Name: Staff Sgt. Laura Grainger

Unit of assignment: Joint Personnel Recovery Agency

Nominee’s duty title: Intelligence Analyst

Home town and state: Tucson, Arizona

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild AFB?
I conduct analysis in support of the personnel recovery mission.

What do you enjoy about your job?
The most significant aspect of my job I enjoy is the impact that my work has on the warfighter. I doubt I will ever again have an opportunity such as this, where I conduct research and analyze the different criterion that has such an impact on potentially isolated personnel.

Why did you choose to serve in the military?
I chose to serve in the military because I admired several people in my family that had served, to better myself for my future and for my family.

Family?
I am recently married with no kids. My wife is a civilian and lives here with me. The rest of my family is in Arizona soaking up the sunshine. I have four crested geckos, Tammy, Priscilla, Norman, and Elvis. Two dogs, Harley and Ojuc, and one cat, Toby.

How long have you been in the military?
I have been in the military for seven years.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is my military service. Not only the service itself, but the person I have become, the places I’ve been and the friends that I have made along the way.

What goals do you want to achieve or meet while at Fairchild AFB?
I would like to make Tech. Sgt. and possibly obtain my bachelor’s degree while stationed here.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, hiking, fishing, playing bingo, movies, and hanging out with my family.

What is your best habit?
Professionally, I would have to say that my best habit is diligence. I am careful and thorough in my work, which lends well to my job. Personally, I make sure to tell my family how much I care about them on a daily basis.

What is your favorite quote?
“I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade … then try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka and have a party.” – Ron White

What are your favorite movies?
My favorite movies are “Forrest Gump,” “Wedding Crashers” and “SLC Punk.”

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him/her?
My favorite mentor was and is my Grandpa. He lived and breathed positivity and constantly lived his life to the fullest. He taught me not to sweat the small stuff and to always look on the bright side of things. He taught me that there is something to learn from everyone and no one should be overlooked.

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why?
If I could spend one hour with anyone, it would be with my Grandpa. I would love to tell him all things that have happened with me since he’s passed and hug him one last time.

What SSgt. Grainger’s leadership is saying:
“Laura brings valuable experience from previous work centers and deployments. The fact that she assisted with the SERE debrief of the Navy boat crews, recently detained in Iran, has allowed us to use her experiences to better develop SERE analysis products in the support of warfighters. She is a serious, diligent analyst providing a positive impact to our Division.”
-- Mr. Terrence Russell, GG-14, Personnel Recovery Academy, Senior Program Manager