Melanie Peterson

Lauren Kim, Ranger Review Reporter

 

Melanie Peterson 12, is close to finishing her senior year at Lewis-Palmer High School. She plans on serving the Air Force for over 4 years to get a Ph.D. Peterson has already taken ASVAB, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The ASVAB is a timed multi-aptitude test developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. It is a test similar to the ACT based on knowledge and skills of mathematics, mechanics, electronics and basic english etc. The test will determine what jobs Peterson will be qualified for. They have everything from casting to designing and working on airplanes. There are a lot of mechanics and technological involvement in the Air Force.

Peterson would like to be a pararescue. She will be put through harsh conditions in order to learn how to survive in dangerous environments.  Peterson will be required to help soldiers if they are in an accident and hurt. She told her recruiter she wanted to help PTSD patients.

“During my junior year, I decided I was interested in psychology and I think being a pararescue will be an interesting job fulfilling to save people,” Peterson said “The thing about the Air Force is that they don’t have jobs in the field I want to go into which is psychiatry. So they have jobs and careers into the medical field like nursing, but I think definitely with pararescue, it’s easier to understand how people think and feel. You can dig deeper into what they undergo and it will be easier to help PTSD patients.”

She will be leaving around June 20th to Fort Worth, Texas. Due to training for the Air Force, she will be attending boot camp for 8 weeks in Lackland, Texas.

“I am a bit nervous. They teach you different skills and how to work in teams. I can work in a team but I hate working in teams, I like figuring things out for myself and being independent,” Peterson said, “I am definitely interested in ‘beast week’ where we basically camp out or a week like what the army would do.”

Peterson will be moving in with her dad to get used to the climate and get a job before going into boot camp. She is excited to spend more time with her dad as she never spent time with him growing up. This will be a big change since she has a close relationship with her mom.

“I’ll miss Colorado. I love the mountains, going hiking and the people here. But I feel that I  really need to move on,” Peterson said “Ever since I was little I moved around and never stayed in the same place for more than 2 years, so I think it’s time for me to leave and start a new chapter. I’m definitely going to miss my friends, I think the experience I had here was really special. Even if it’s time to move on, I will never forget about the people who helped made me who I am today.”Picasa