Fairchild's Finest: Airman 1st Class Kristina Kovch

Published Feb. 25, 2016
By By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Kristina Kovch

Unit of assignment: 92nd Medical Operations Squadron

Duty title: Aerospace Medical Technician

Hometown: Springfield, Virginia / Arlington, Virginia

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild AFB?
My job here at Fairchild is twofold. My mission as a medical technician comes first. That job includes checking in patients, reviewing patient results, assisting providers with whatever they need, and generally ensuring our force is healthy and ready. On the other side, when the mission allows, I work on my upgrade training and pick the brains of my mentors.

What do you enjoy about your job?
As a former personal trainer, I loved working with my clients every day and watching them accomplish goals they never thought they could. Likewise, as an aerospace medical technician, I enjoy working with my patients and seeing the goals they accomplish, but in a greater capacity. I get to help patients through everything from a cold to cancer.

Why did you choose to serve in the military?
I always had an interest since I was a child. My father served in the United States Navy, and I was exposed to the military lifestyle at a young age. I liked watching different war movies, and had this nagging feeling that it was something I had to do. I looked for a different path via my personal training career; but an opportunity presented itself to join the Air Force, so I jumped in with both feet and haven't looked back.

How long have you been in the military?
One year and three months

What is your greatest accomplishment?
I feel like I have accomplished many things that I am proud of. The two that stand out the most to me are having the opportunity to be Paul McCartney's personal trainer, and being a participant on NBC's hit series "American Ninja Warrior."

What goals do you want to achieve or meet while at Fairchild AFB?
I would like to obtain Senior Airman Below the Zone, begin and finish a bachelor's degree, and become the best Airman I am able to be, whether on or off the job, in or out of uniform.

What are your hobbies?
I love any form of physical activity such as weight training, swimming, soccer, cycling, participating in triathlons, gymnastics, and parkour.

What is your best habit?
My best habit is that I am determined. I will persevere when a perceived goal appears to be unattainable.

What is your favorite quote?
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change." - Reinhold Niebuhr

What are your favorite movies?
"The Rescuers Down Under," "Home Alone" and "Beverly Hills Cop"

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him or her?
My favorite mentor is Staff Sgt. Devon Garland, 92nd MDOS family health clinic NCO in charge. Since I started working in the Family Health Clinic, he has been my go-to guy. He is extremely knowledgeable in his career field and the clinic itself. Having a supportive and approachable demeanor, I have always been able to talk to him directly about anything that I have questions or concerns about. I have developed quite a respect for him, and would stand behind him on anything. He has great interactions with patients, and is always super professional. I will be sad to see him leave in the next few months.

If you could spend one hour with any person who would it be and why?
I used to have a brother. Two years ago, he developed a substance abuse problem. Having to watch him endure the consequences of his actions really affected me. If I had the opportunity to talk to him about the choices he was making, and why he decided to make those decisions, I feel he would still be a part of my life. I had a patient two months ago who came into the clinic with a substance abuse problem, and they had been involved with the same substance as my brother. The only difference was the patient was transferred to a rehabilitative clinic because they asked for help. I can only wish that my brother had been able to reach out to someone for assistance.

What Airman 1st Class Kovch's leadership is saying:
"When I got to the unit, Airman 1st Class Kovch was the first to pick my brain about my experience in a larger unit, the first to walk me through the new processes here at Fairchild, and the first to ask me how to further her career. I knew she was "high speed, low drag" right from the start," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller, 92nd MDOS family health clinic "Falcon Team" NCOIC.

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