February Portrait of a Professional

  • Published
  • 129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office
MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. --  Staff Sgt. Rick Popplewell, NCO in charge of the 129th Medical Group's Immunizations Clinic, is the 129th Rescue Wing's Portrait of a Professional for Feburary.  Portrait of a Professional is a monthly profile of an outstanding Staff Sgt. and below.

How has serving in the ANG changed your outlook?
Working with the 129th has shown me many opportunities for advancement. Also it has motivated me to go back to school and focus on my medical career.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from the military?
Tolerance, I am a perfectionist by nature and have learned to law low and let others participate. 

What is your favorite USAF memory? 
Annual Training with the 129 Medical Group in Puerto Rico at Centro Medico.

If you could deploy anywhere in the world where would it be?
Germany as my mom lives there. I was born in Heidelberg.

Where did you grow up? 
San Francisco

What is your civilian job?
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at the Monterey Community Hospital and Santa Cruz Convalescent Center.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a published political cartoonist in the Santa Cruz Sentinel 

Do you have any hobbies?
Walking and staying active, cartooning and photography.

What is your favorite quote?
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde