From High School to Metals Technology: The Inspiring Journey of Airman Jacalyn Cox.

Airman Jacalyn Cox is a recent addition to the metals technology shop at the 157th Air Refueling Wing. Hailing from Madison, New Hampshire, Cox enlisted in the Air National Guard during her senior year of high school without any prior experience in machine shop work. However, she was drawn to the field because of its intriguing nature and her interest has only grown since attending technical school.

Now working as an aircraft metal technology specialist, Cox is part of a team that completes fabrications, designs critical tools for the KC-46, and uses various machines to accomplish their tasks. Despite never having worked with maintenance or metalworking during her upbringing, Cox has found welding to be one of her newfound passions. She quickly adapted to and embraced the unique challenges presented by her work.

What drew Cox to the 157th Air Refueling Wing was her familiarity with the base, as her father, Master Sgt. Jeremy Cox, has served in the New Hampshire Air National Guard for over 20 years. After graduating from high school, Basic Military Training, and technical school, Cox is now considering pursuing further education to become certified in her new trades.

Excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, Cox is looking forward to exploring the possibility of attending college and potentially working full-time at the base. She finds the daily experience of trying new machines and tasks to be exhilarating and has developed a deep appreciation for her work in the metals technology shop. Although she was initially intimidated when first touring the base and encountering the machines, Cox now feels at home and is eager to continue expanding her skills and knowledge in the field.