Overcoming a fear has led a young man in Bridge City to excel and has given him a goal for his future. Sheldon Becker at age 15 will be entering ninth grade this year at Bridge City High School. A year ago Sheldon got involved in the Civil Air Patrol at the Jack Brooks Airport in Nederland and is now a United States Air Force Auxiliary airman.
Sheldon tells that what first got him interested in flying was he was scared of heights. He wanted to get over his fear of heights. Sheldon started doing things that were up high including skydiving and flying airplanes to overcome that fear. Becker relates, “Once I got in an airplane for the first time I just looked out the window, I saw the view and it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The Civil Air Patrol does simulations, aerospace education, leadership training, and builds rockets. In just over a year as a United States Air Force Auxiliary airman young Becker has been promoted several times. His mother Cher Becker tells that Sheldon started out as a cadet, but through his hard work is now a senior Master Sergeant and is just three steps away from making 2nd Lieutenant.
He attended the Advanced Training School at Camp Bullis in San Antonio during June. Sheldon said the school was a great exercise for him. The school included intensive physical training on obstacle courses as well as repelling down structures.
This month Sheldon was selected as one of only 30 trainees out of 300 applicants to participate in the Undergraduate Pilot School at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas. He got to work in flight simulators, ride in an airplane trainer, and it was a tremendous learning experience for Becker. Next year Sheldon is guaranteed a first spot in flight school and for gliders. He hopes to be able to fly solo by the end of flight and glider schools.
Following his four years of high school at Bridge City Becker is setting his goals high. Becker plans to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Upon graduation from there he wants to fly cargo planes for the United States Air Force. After his active military service is completed his career goal is still up in the air, literally. “Once my contract is over I just want to go and fly airlines,” Sheldon admits. The sky is the limit for Sheldon Becker.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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