Incirlik Airman awarded Titan University’s highest honor

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jasmonet D. Jackson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  

An Airman with the 39th Maintenance Squadron became the second to earn the highest level of achievement in the 39th Air Base Wing’s professional development program here Aug. 30.

Senior Airman Krystle Watts, an aerospace ground equipment mechanic, completed 15 professional development courses, wrote a three-page essay on her contribution to Incirlik’s mission priorities, authored a report relating to Incirlik Air Base’s response during the attempted military coup of 2016, and created a seven-minute presentation on her journey to earn the complete trifecta of Titan University achievements: Wingman, Leader, and Warrior.

Shortly after her arrival, Watts said she wanted to continue her education to grow professionally and personally, but was wary of finding time to balance work and school. Watts started her Titan U journey by dedicating a lot of her downtime and lunch breaks to attending courses with the program.

“I was a follower in the beginning of my Titan University experience. I usually went along with someone else who was attending a course,” she said. “As time went on and I took more courses, I became a leader. I was the one who was bringing my coworkers along with me to show them this great opportunity.”

Titan University is composed of core, intermediate, and advanced courses ranging from customs and courtesies to writing a bullet, to filing a voucher through the Defense Travel System (DTS), and self-improvement opportunities.   

“I literally have a notebook full of notes on how to communicate effectively; how to detain someone, taught by the 39th Security Forces Squadron; how to understand your leave and earnings statement, taught by finance Airmen in the 39th Comptroller Squadron, and so on,” said Watts. “That is great information that I will be able to use for myself and to pass on to my Airmen in the future.”

“Titan University is built upon the camaraderie and dedication of Team Incirlik to support and improve the professional development of themselves and their wingmen,” said Master Sgt. Rory McKinnon, 39th Air Base Wing Career Assistance Advisor, who leads the program with the help of members from the Top 3. “The program is for everyone because professional development is important at every level and rank.”

While attending classes seemed to be the easy part of participating in the Titan U program for Watts, fulfilling the additional requirements proved to be a little more challenging. Although there were a few moments when Watts said she questioned whether she should attempt to complete her additional requirements, she pressed forward.  

“It was difficult and demanding,” Watts said. “Digging deep when I was too tired to complete those essays and book reports and then gathering the courage to brief the command chief!”

“They are people. They drink water, and they breathe just like you do,” Watts said she muttered to herself, as she paced the floor moments before her final briefing.

Upon completion of her additional requirements, the 39th Air Base Wing Commander, Col. David Eaglin, and 39th Air Base Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Daniels awarded Watts the warrior level achievement and revealed her name on the Titan University Hall of Fame plaque in the headquarters building.  

“I went from just going to the classes, to teaching my own class, earning all three awards, to making my next rank!” Watts said. “The sense of achievement—it just overwhelmed me.”

Titan University courses are available to all U.S. military and civilians assigned to Incirlik Air Base.

“There is absolutely nothing to lose at all, but most definitely a lot to gain from these courses,” Watts said.

For more information follow this link: Titan University Homepage