Edwards' Airman's got game

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For Staff Sgt. Sedric Whitaker, 95th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School flight instructor, being a leader and exercising discipline comes from lessons he's learned while in the Air Force and on the basketball court.

Being an instructor at the ALS is an ideal position for someone who takes the time to lead by example, investing himself into the development of young Airmen. Sergeant Whitaker not only teaches his Airmen, but he also learns in the process.

"Pretty much everything that I do as far as leadership goes at work, I relate it to things I learned on the basketball court, and vice versa," said Sergeant Whitaker. "Those things make me better at my job. I think that basketball plays a big role in my job right now."

It should play a big role, as Sergeant Whitaker is playing on the All-Air Force team for a third season. As a shooting guard, and most recently small forward, he has played on the team for the 2006-2007, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons, winning gold medals every time.

"The Air Force coach saw me playing in a tournament at Lackland [AFB, Texas] in 2006 and invited me to try out for the Air Force team," said Sergeant Whitaker. "They take the best 23 people from around the Air Force."

Most recently, Sergeant Whitaker traveled to Minnesota for a three-week training camp and then off to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. to compete in the Armed Forces tournament against Army, Navy and Marines.

"The most fun part for me is going to the tournament," said Sergeant Whitaker. "Everyone has this perception that the Air Force is pretty soft or whatever."

That perception doesn't bear out on the basketball court.

"Oh, we won," he smiled. "Air Force has won the past six years."

Picked as one of the 12 best players at the Armed Forces tournament, Sergeant Whitaker represented the Air Force on the All-Armed Forces Basketball team in 2010. He played against thirteen other countries in a 10-day tournament in Seoul, South Korea.

Not only is Sergeant Whitaker supported by his teammates on the court, he also recognizes the importance of his teammates at ALS.

"My co-workers have my back. They have to pick up my work when I'm gone at training camp and tournaments," he said. "I really appreciate that. I've had bosses that didn't support me going."

"We are all about being team players here," said Tech. Sgt. Lauren Brock, ALS commandant and Sergeant Whitaker's supervisor. "Representing the Air Force in such a positive light is commendable in itself. His talent speaks for itself and it is so important to encourage him in any opportunity that allows him to be a stand-out role model for others."

Senior airmen who attend ALS are taught how to effectively communicate and develop professionally, with the intention of becoming valuable leaders.

It takes one to know one.

"He [Sergeant Whitaker] was raised to respect people and recognizes that the senior airmen that step through our door are people first and senior airmen second," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer DiBello, fellow instructor at ALS. "However, while being very personable he does his best to provide them professionally with what they need, rather than what they want."

Sitting in a class conducted by Sergeant Whitaker, it doesn't take long to notice that his students relate to him and value his insight.

"Staff Sgt. Whitaker is hilarious, witty and passionate about life overall," said Sergeant Brock. "It is a pleasure to work with someone who has all those things rolled into one."