Airman Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Richard Maricle

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OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  
Rank/Name: Staff Sgt. Richard D. Maricle

Unit: 51st Security Forces Squadron

Job title: Military Working Dog Handler/Area Supervisor/Quick Reaction Team

Job description and its impact on the overall mission:
Trains and employs K9 in patrol applications and tactical maneuvers during routine and wartime operations. Protects base infrastructure and assets through mobile patrols. Supports antiterrorism and force protection program through random sweeps with assigned Military Working Dog "Bakk" and manages Military Working Dog proficiency and utilization while assigned to the largest kennel in the Department of Defense.

Time in the military: 6 Years 6 months

Time at Osan: 9 months

DEROS: September 2012

Family: I have been happily married for three years to my wife, Jennifer. We welcomed our son, Hunter, in December 2011. My parents, Rick and Kelly Maricle, reside in Maryland. My sister, Sara, is currently away at college.

Hometown: Ridgely, Md.

Hobbies: Photography, restoring old cars, training dogs, spending time with family and volunteering as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician with my local fire dept in Little Creek, Del.

Why did you join the military?
I initially joined the military to gain law enforcement experience so I could become a Maryland State Police Flight Medic. I recently decided to make the Air Force a career.

Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years?
As an officer in the Air Force Nursing Corps.

What do you do for fun here?
Photography, spending time with Bakk (MWD) and volunteering as an EMT at 51st Medical Group Emergency Room.

What's your favorite Air Force memory or story?
I would have to say being deployed to Iraq for the first time as an airman first class with less than a year in the military being assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade (US Army) training Iraqi correctional officers at an internment facility for nine months. We built camaraderie in a joint environment and forged lifelong friendships.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Being awarded Distinguished Graduate and Commandant's Award during Airman Leadership School.

Who are your role models?
My role models are my parents. They have personally sacrificed so much to allow me to be where I am today. I hope I can live my life to honor them and be a positive role model for my son, Hunter.