Tinker employees enroll in engineering program Published Oct. 11, 2013 By Mike W. Ray Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Two mechanics at Tinker AFB enrolled in a new Engineering Technician program at Moore Norman Technology Center in hopes the knowledge will advance their careers, and a third is increasing his education. Joseph Miller, a pneudraulic systems mechanic with the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group, said he's "pretty satisfied with the program" because it "utilizes the skills and background that I have." Mr. Miller, 56, worked for General Motors for 30 years, and then for Johnson Controls, before he came to Tinker a little over three years ago. In addition, he earned a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Oklahoma. The Norman resident said that completing the career technology course will provide him with "a credential that will enhance my resumé." Noting "the advantages that continuing education can bring," Mike Pierce, an AWACS mechanic with the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, enrolled in the course primarily because, "I want to make the process smoother" between mechanics and engineers. "I want to be somebody who's 'been there and done that'," he said. Reginald Hawkins, a planner with the 546th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron who works in Bldg. 9001, harbors similar sentiments. "I think that acquiring those skills will help me advance my career," he said, particularly since "there are all kinds of engineering jobs" at Tinker AFB. Mr. Hawkins said he previously was a mechanic for about 20 years and "wanted to get some experience on the engineering side." Besides the potential career possibilities, "It's great to have the skills," he said. "I like to learn new things."