“They inspired me in that they were all extremely patriotic, and they taught me to love and appreciate my country, however I never really talked to any of them about me potentially serving before I enlisted,” she remembers. “They were all very encouraging. They know the military is a male dominated profession, but they also know that I never let anything stop me from achieving my goals. I may have to work twice as hard to prove my worth, but I have always loved a challenge.” While her decision to enlist did not come without its challenges, it nevertheless evolved into a golden move for her future. She began her military career on active duty status and was stationed at Northern California’s Travis Air Force Base, before returning home to Texas to raise her daughter and continue in the Reserves. Along the way she earned the John L. Levitow Award, the highest award for enlisted Professional Military Education in the Air Force. It is presented to the student who demonstrates the most outstanding leadership and scholastic achievement throughout Airman Leadership School.
She also went back to college to earn her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas-Tyler, where she is currently finishing her master’s in educational leadership. After obtaining her teaching credential in 2014, she embarked on a career in elementary education teaching writing, social studies, and her most valued subject – reading. “One day in the airport I picked up a book called Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson, thinking it would be all about medicine,” explains Vaughn. “At that time I was a medic in the Air Force, so it seemed like a fitting read. Turns out that book was all about the hurdles Dr. Carson overcame growing up in poverty, struggling in school, etc. I related to him on a deep level. “One thing that really stuck out is how Dr. Carson’s mother always pushed for him to be a successful reader,” she continues. “I began to think about all the children in this country in similar situations and I became very motivated to be a part of promoting literacy and education.” While there was no stimulus for Vaughn to become an award-winning brain surgeon after reading the book, she certainly pulled inspiration out of its pages that would motivate her to help others in significant ways. “This is my fourth year teaching reading, and I feel so blessed to wake up every day and go teach children a skill that is the basis of all other skills,” Vaughn confides. “The most hungry, dirty, socioeconomically disadvantaged child can work themselves into a better life, beginning with learning to read.”
Command Chief Randall Noble 22
Chief Brian Huber
HOMELAND / March 2018
Staff Sergeant Danielle Vaughn