Alaska TDY

A platoon of cadets from the Military Youth Academy marches to the dining facility at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska on July 14. The Cadets voluntarily live in military like conditions for 22 weeks in order to get back on the right track to earn high school credits, GED or high school diploma. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

Alaska TDY

Tech. Sgt. Jacob Daniels from the 134th Air Refueling Wing Force Support Squadron volunteers at the Military Youth Academy Dining Facility during a temporary duty assignment to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska, July 10-19. Members from FSS helped prepare and serve food three times a day for the cadets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

Alaska TDY

Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing Force Support Squadron serve food to cadets from the Military Youth Academy at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska, July 10-19. Members from FSS showed cadets a positive outlook on the military as well as the unit. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

Tennessee Airmen volunteer at Alaskan Military Youth Academy

Published Aug. 14, 2016
By Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
134th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing's Force Support Squadron helped support the Alaska Military Youth Academy Dining Facility during a temporary duty assignment July 10-19.

Members worked shifts preparing and serving food three times a day to cadets of the Military Youth Academy during their assignment.

According to https://dmva.alaska.gov/AMYA, the mission of the Alaska Military Youth Academy ChalleNGe Program is to help intervene in and reclaim the lives of Alaska's at-risk youth and produce graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults

This program is a 22 week-long, voluntary course that provides cadets with up to seven accredited high school credits.

"The cadets range from ages 16-18 and voluntarily came here to either get back on the right track, or earn their GED or high school diploma," said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Daniels, services craftsman with the 134th FSS. "The cadets here not only receive educational opportunities, they also take away with them discipline and structure skills that will help them succeed in the future."

For many cadets, joining the military sparks their interest once they have completed their secondary education.

"A lot of the cadets here have shown interest in the military and by us volunteering with this program, it shows the military in a positive light and gives them an insight on what we do as Servicemembers," said Daniels.

Military Youth Academy program is found in more than half of the states and Tennessee is in the process of opening one in the near future.

"Being able to volunteer here has been a very humbling experience," said Daniels. "We are helping these cadets who may one day be our colleagues or replacements."