Sacrifice brings reward for NCO Published June 25, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Sacrifice is a word Staff Sgt. Jessica Aglibut, 20th Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician, applied to her family and close friends as she talked about their support for her career, and especially its next stage. Aglibut said she forfeited the majority of her free time and energy in pursuit of becoming an Air Force nurse and officer. On June 12, 2012 she received surprising news: After two years of effort, she was selected to attend the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program. "I believe it's a very natural transition," Aglibut said. "I feel I've reached my limit in patient care, which is my true passion, as a non-commissioned officer." In order to achieve this Aglibut made daily sacrifices, often coming in early and leaving late, becoming a full-time student (based on credit hours taken per semester), while still trying to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother. Aglibut explained that her husband and son made the greatest sacrifices of all during her absence. "He's pretty much been a single father for four years, and I can't thank him enough for his support," she added. Aglibut started her academic journey in the summer of 2008. In 2009 Aglibut received two associate degrees. During that winter she earned an associate degree in Allied Health Science from the Community College of the Air Force, and during spring she finished her Associate of Arts degree from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In the summer of 2009 Aglibut moved to Shaw. Aglibut continued to pursue her education, focusing her course selection on the NECP curriculum prerequisites. About two years later, in the fall of 2011, Aglibut completed her prerequisites for the NECP. However, she did not stop after completing the bare minimum, but instead continued to attend school in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in psychology. "She's tenacious and extremely dedicated," explained Master Sgt. Brian McMahan, 20th Aerospace Medical Squadron superintendent. "She set goals early, so while others were focused on CDCs (career development courses) and promotions she was pursuing her goals." In spring of 2012 Aglibut graduated from Ashford University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Aglibut attributed her thirst for knowledge and drive for self-improvement to her mentor and friend Maj. Eric Greeson who was the Brooke Army Medical Center dermatologist. "He planted the seed in my head that I was competent and intelligent enough to become a nurse corps officer," explained Aglibut. "Sometimes it takes someone else believing in you to give you the courage to try." As a medical technician Aglibut's current duties include the evaluation of patients and routine patient care, organization of the medical environment and fulfilling necessary functions as directed by the nurse, doctor or any higher ranking specialized technician. Once she's a commissioned, registered nurse Aglibut will be expected to fulfill a supervisory role besides her primary duties of diagnosing and treating actual or potential health conditions, providing necessary health care services, creating daily medical plans for patients, and supervising, delegating and evaluating nursing and medical technicians' actions. "She'll make a fantastic officer," exclaimed McMahan. "She has the skill set to be a nurse now, and she understands the field." Even after all her success, accolades and praise from her peers, Aglibut remains humble, insisting that she cannot take credit for her success, but rather it was those supporting her that helped her achieve this goal. "Not only have I had great supervisors," explained Aglibut. "But I couldn't ask more of my husband, I couldn't have done this without him." Aglibut will be administratively assigned to an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment at South Alabama University, and will start school next August. "This is an amazing opportunity," Aglibut concluded. "I'm just upset I didn't know about it sooner."