Faces of Holloman: Senior Airman Richelle Esperanza

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Editor's note:This is part one of the Faces of Holloman series highlighting the Airmen of the 49th Wing.  

No matter your rank or whether you're an officer or enlisted, there are some things that all Airmen have in common. We all need to eat, sleep, shower, and last but not least, we all need personnel specialists.

The 30 personnel specialists of the 49th Force Support Squadron customer support element handle the records of more than 4,500 personnel here at Holloman AFB. One of the Airmen leading the way for the section is Senior Airman Richelle Esperanza.

"Senior Airman Esperanza is an overall stellar performer, She is professional in all aspects, and quality customer service is just one of her traits," said 2nd Lt. Enoch Stohry, career development officer in charge.

Esperanza, who works as a supervisor in the career development section, is responsible for managing promotion programs and all of the Unfavorable Information Files for the installation. She is also a passport agent for the base as well as a Casualty Augmentation Support Team and Personnel Deployment Function team member.

"I take pride in being able to take care of customers with everything from when they first inprocess at their first duty station to when they separate from the military, and everything inbetween," said Esperanza.

U.S. Air Force Personnel Specialists are responsible for advising Airmen on military personnel issues and programs. They also advise members on official and personal obligations to include relocation, training and promotion and many other administrative actions.

Esperanza, who is married with one child, comes from a military family. Her father served in the U.S. Army for six years active and 10 years in reserve, and her mother retired as a master sergeant in the Guam Army National Guard. She cites her upbringing as a military child as her motivation for joining the U.S. Air Force.

"Growing up I had a sense of pride and I always admired my parents for serving their country, so when I got older I knew I wanted to continue that tradition," said Esperanza. "I also appreciate the great medical and educational benefits the Air Force offers."

Since arriving at Holloman AFB in 2010, Esperanza has been leading by example in her section. Esperanza recently completed Airman Leadership School, where she won both the distinguished graduate award and commandant award. For her outstanding work in her duty section, she was also honored as the 49th FSS Airman of the second and third quarters of the year. On top of all of these accomplishments, she made staff sergeant on her first attempt.

"What drives me to excel is my daughter, she is the number one motivation in my life and I want to give her a good life," said Esperanza. "Everything that I do is because I have pride in my job and I want to produce high quality work."