Air Force cadets briefed about Tinker particulars Published June 12, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Cadets listened intently during their first day on base as Tinker commanders and instructors explained Tinker specifics to them that would prove useful while at Tinker for their three weeks. Instruction was given by Col. Mark Correll, 72nd Air Base Wing, commander who discussed Tinker's history and advantages over other bases, Mr. Mark Sprayberry, 72nd ABW/SEG, told the cadets about practicing safety while here, they were also enlightened on the dos and don'ts, and information on the area that encompasses Tinker AFB. "The AFROTC cadets are on scholarship so that is definitely a criterion for participating in the program and also the ROTC cadets come from many different schools across the United States," said Lt. Col. Kyna McCall, 72nd Communications Squadron Commander and program director for Operation Air Force cadets. The information the cadets were given was critical for their knowledge, due to the fact that all of the cadets are from states other than Oklahoma and are not familiar with the history of Oklahoma or Tinker AFB . "You've come to a very unique place, for those of you who have hoped to learn something about the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense you could have not come to a better place to get a great picture of what goes on in your USAF," said Colonel Correll. Colonel Correll explained to the cadets that Tinker is special, because it holds seven wing commanders and has units from across the USAF in multiple commands, United States Navy and Department of Defense organizations. He also explained to them that the primary mission is the Air Logistics Center. Mark Sprayberry continued with the education of the cadets on safety during their stay at Tinker. He discussed traffic safety and supplied visuals of the base to explain more clearly the where to take precautions on base and where to be cautious while navigating in the local area. Mr. Sprayberry directed his focus to those cadets over 21, at one point saying, "Don't be stupid. You guys have your careers in front of you and you wouldn't be in this room if you weren't planning on making the Air Force a career. If you're going to drink be sure you have a plan." After being educated on the Tinker specifics Lieutenant Jeff Charron, Air Combat Command, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron/Squadron Section commander, explained to the cadets their assignments and told more detail about what they would be doing day to day. For the remainder of the day the cadets took tours throughout the base to get better acquainted with their home for three weeks. The last part of the afternoon the cadets met with Maj. Gen. Loren Reno, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander. General Reno told a story of his first assignment in Saigon. At the end of his story General Reno took questions. One cadet stood up and asked, "As a young officer coming into the Air Force how did you deal with your inexperience and what did you do to become more comfortable or more confident?" "Occasionally we see a second lieutenant right out of commissioning school, non-prior service, that pretends like they know all the answers, and they are only fooling one person, themselves," he stated. He continued to tell the cadets that the ones that gain the respect of the NCOs and the officers that they are around are the ones that ask to be taught, ask honest questions, or say "I don't know" or "I'll look it up." "Don't be afraid to ask questions, you will get a lot farther if you're humble and not arrogant," said General Reno.