Two 'Lik' Airmen accepted to AF Academy Prep School

Published May 4, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Tiffany Colburn
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Approximately 240 students between the ages of 17 and 22 will begin the Air Force Academy Preparatory School this July; among those attending will be two of Incirlik's own, Airman 1st Class Michael Smith and Airman Brendan Mahathey, both from the 39th Maintenance Squadron. They will become "cadet candidates" during their 10-month stay at the school.

Airman Mahathey, originally from Las Vegas, Nev., has been in the military for a little over a year and has been stationed at Incirlik for the last nine months. He joined the military when he was 18 for the educational benefits, the traveling, and the desire to serve his country. But his desire to be a pilot lead him to the Air Force Academy.

"The application process takes anywhere from one to three months, paperwork and phone calls back and forth," said Airman Mahathey "But the work starts long before the application process. It's all about your academic and athletic background. Build that background, and the paperwork is cake."

He attended the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies and Performing and Visual Arts and graduated high school in three years with an honors diploma, was an Eagle Scout, and was also on the National Honor Roll.

Airman Mahathey plans to major in History or Strategic Military Studies. After Prep School, he plans on going to the Academy in hopes of fulfilling his dream of becoming a pilot.

Airman Smith originally from Alexandria, Va., has been in the military for a year and a half and has been stationed here for a year. He joined the military when he was 19 so that he could get eye surgery and aimed to be a pararescue Airman, but attending the Air Force Academy had crossed his mind prior to enlisting.

"My section chief, Senior Master Sergeant Luther Snider and my officer in charge, Capt. Paul Brighton, pulled me into their office and told me I was eligible for the Leadership and Education Development Program," said Airman Smith. "I already knew everything the academy was about from trying to apply in high school, so I just said sure, why not? It won't kill me just to apply. I applied, and I got accepted."

For him, filling out the application was a lot like filling out a college application. However the application also required a physical test that included a shuttle run and a basketball throw. Airman Smith competed with other applicants for 85 slots at the Academy and 50 at the Prep School; he was accepted to the Prep School.

Airman Smith plans on majoring in History or Military Theory. After he graduates Prep School he plans on going to the Academy and then on to doing something exciting like flying A-10s, being a special tactics officer, or a combat rescue officer.

"When the F-16 training squadron came around town, I admittedly got a little jealous. I thought, 'why can't I get paid the big bucks for a job as cool as that?'" said Airman Smith.
"Both of these young men are outstanding Airmen," said Maj. Speidel. "They've been a key to their work center success and have been leaders amongst their peers. I am very proud of their selection to the Air Force Academy Prep School and I'm confident they will excel."