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Vance med tech joined Air Force to help others

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  (Editor's note: May 7-11 was Nurse and Technician Appreciation Week at Vance Air Force Base. The following article highlights Tech. Sgt. Lorylee Willis, a medical technician with the 71st Medical Operations Squadron.)

Lorylee Willis, her sister and their mutual friend pulled up to a stop light while out for a night on the town. She saw a crowd pulling an unconscious man in need of help out of a car. Although she didn't know what was wrong, she knew she didn't have the skills to help.

It wasn't long after that incident she decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

"When I called my recruiter I told him I had one question right off the bat: What is the height requirement to join the Air Force?" said Tech. Sgt. Lorylee Willis, the NCO in charge of the 71st Medical Operations Squadron flight medicine clinic.

"I think he said the minimum was 4 feet 9 inches, or something along those lines, and I'm 4 feet 10 inches."

While perusing through the jobs available, she saw the description for a medical technician and decided that was what she wanted to do.

"Ever since I had the opportunity to volunteer at a hospital while I was in high school I've been interested in the medical field," said Willis.

Though she had to enlist under the "open general" category, which meant she could have ended up in any career field, she decided the risk was worth it and went off to basic training.

"I remember when they were reading off the names and jobs people were getting at the end of basic," said Willis. "People were getting jobs that they hadn't even put down on their list and I ended up getting my first choice, medical technician. I lucked out I think."

Since then, Willis, from Earlimert, Calif., has worked in a variety of medical technician positions, from family care to the emergency room.

At Vance AFB, her job is to set up procedures and help ensure student pilots are fit to fly. She says she considers taking care of her Airmen her most important duty.

"My technicians know me and that I sincerely care about them," said Willis. "I think when you show that you care and provide a good working environment you will get good results from your people. I really love the people I work with. We have excellent chemistry."

"If we ever need something she's always on it," said Senior Airman Shaun Houlihan, a medical technician with the 71st MDOS. "She goes out of her way to set up little events for someone if it's their birthday.

"When I first got here I was interested in going to the academy," said Houlihan. "(Willis) worked hard to get me a letter of recommendation. I'm going to miss her when I leave. I hope I get another supervisor as good as she is."

"My next goal is to apply for the Air Force physician's assistant program," said Willis. "If I can get into this program, I can help people on a completely different level."

The PA program is only open to active duty members and is two-year program. If Willis isn't accepted into the program she still plans to stay in the Air Force.