Tech. Sgt. Ranell Oyola

  • Published
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  "Tip of the Spear" is a weekly spotlight designed to recognize outstanding Airmen for the work they do every day at Hurlburt Field. Tech. Sgt. Ranell Oyola, 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron NCO in charge of the contingency cell, was selected for this week's spotlight.

Name: Tech. Sgt. Ranell Oyola

Unit: 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron

Duty Title: NCO in charge, Contingency Cell

Hometown: Miami, Fla.

Date Entered the Air Force: Oct. 1995

Hobbies: Boating, fishing, diving, and spending time with my family.

Why did you join the Air Force?
I joined to travel and see the world.

How does your Air Force specialty contribute to the mission?
Nothing much happens without contracting. We have a hand in most every commodity, service and construction project that keeps a base ticking. Whether your unit needs a bunch of new computers, you're having lunch at the dining facility or enjoying newly constructed facilities on base, contracting is there to make it happen.

If you were Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force for one day, how would you change the Air Force?
I'd like to reduce the amount of focus we put on [Enlisted Performance Reports]. Not to say they aren't important, but the amount of emphasis placed on EPRs has led to inflation. There's more to an individual than what can be written on a piece of paper, not everyone walks on water.

What's your favorite thing about Hurlburt Field?
My favorite thing about Hulburt Field is the mission. I've had the opportunity to work with special operations previously in my career. I love the ops tempo and seeing how [Air Force Special Operations Command] gets it done. Haiti is a great example of this.

What do you like most about being an Airman?
I like making a difference. No matter how big or small, be it mentoring a young Airman or deploying to support humanitarian relief operations. Making positive changes in somebody's life is a big thing.

What's one thing you wish you were told before joining the Air Force?
My father and uncle both had careers in the military. I pretty much knew what I was getting into.

What motivates you at work?
The people motivate me to work. My unit is my second family.

Who are your heroes/role models?
The troops out there giving everything they've got on the front lines are my heroes/role models.

Advice to others?
Take advantage. Be sure to get what you want out of the Air Force before the ride is over. Whether you joined for travel, education, or any other reason and you serve only four years or 20 plus years. Be sure you get what you wanted, because the Air Force will get what they want out of you and it will be over before you know it!

Why was he selected?
"Tech. Sgt. Ranell Oyola goes above and beyond his regular duties to provide outstanding support for our mission. Sergeant Oyola took on a position previously held by a master sergeant and ran with it. He takes care of all of our readiness, deployment, contingency, and training needs and willingly takes on numerous extra taskings without complaining. He exemplifies the Air Force's core values every day, and is a tremendous asset to our base. Sergeant Oyola has a selfless attitude that is bound to take him a long way in his career. He's always willing to help. This attitude earned him the Tip of the Spear Spotlight for 1 SOCONS."
-- Senior Master Sgt. Keith Adams, Superintendent/1st Sgt. for 1 SOCONS