Two Airmen, buddies and best friends!

Buddy System proves friendly to Air Force surgical technicians from Guam

When Tiamae Cruz needed a helping hand in Guam, a friendly face always seemed to arrive within minutes.

So when the 18-year-old decided to join the Air Force and leave the confines of her Pacific island measuring 30 miles long by 12 miles wide, she looked around for the usual reassurance.

Enter Taija Alcantara, grammar school chum, high school sporting rival and rediscovered best friend and fellow student at the University of Guam.
“It would be great if you joined with me,” said Airman Cruz after breaking the news at a coffee shop.  

***image1***Airman Alcantara was on a similar career path as her best friend – Airman Cruz aspires to become a veterinarian while Airman Alcantara hopes to become a cardiac surgeon – but a military career in unknown lands was a daunting proposal. She had never left the island except for a few months as a 4-year-old, while Airman Cruz had visited the states occasionally with family.

“We were really, really scared and nervous,” Airman Cruz said. “It was a big step. Being from Guam, everything is small and you’re used to leaning on your family and friends.”

It seemed clear the developing plan called for some sort of guaranteed Guam support network, which fortunately the local military recruiter was able to offer.
Through the Air Force Buddy System, he was able to guarantee the friends would spend the first six weeks of their military career together at basic training. At the time, that seemed like enough. But the contract they signed would later turn out to be much more than they could have ever hoped for.

When their 24-hour flight to basic training ended with a screaming welcoming committee at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the value of the buddy system became immediately apparent.

“Basic training was kind of scary,” Airman Cruz said. “Taija was my support network.”

Their companionship helped overcome the initial tears and a desire to return home, but it wasn’t always encouraged, Airman Alcantara said.

Their basic training instructor, and subsequent technical school instructors felt the young women were too dependent upon each other and attempted to separate the pair. Some encouraged competitiveness between them, but for the Airmen, the issue was friendship and supporting each other along this new military adventure.
“We can work on our own,” Airman Cruz said. “We can function on our own. It’s just that we find sometimes we function better together.”

From basic training, the two comrades could have gone in different directions – professionally and geographically. They entered the Air Force as “open general,” meaning they did not have a guaranteed specific job. Instead, during basic training they would pick a job among five choices and surgical technician was an option offered to both.

For two women seeking medical careers, it was the obvious choice.
After basic, the Guam connection continued to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for eight weeks of technical training.

 When that ended, they once again beat the buddy system odds and both were assigned to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for six additional weeks of on-the-job training.

At both training bases they continued to hear comments such as, “Where’s your other half?” or “Why aren’t you with your twin?” As roommates with more free time on their hands, they joked about feeling like true sisters, sharing both good times and occasional spats.

With technical school completed, the Airmen returned to Guam where they participated in the Recruiter Assistance Program while on leave. As part of the recruiter program, Airmen visit schools and other locations to help promote the Air Force.

Airman Alcantara also managed time to get married, with her maid of honor being – who else – but her fellow Airman and best friend.They picked out the wedding gown together while wearing their BDUs.

After their trip home, it was time to begin in earnest their Air Force careers. The odds were stacked against the buddy system extending to a job at the same location. But they both put Germany at the top of their “dream sheet” of potential bases, and Germany it was.

“We were excited when we heard we were coming here,” Airman Alcantara said. “But it’s so big and you just don’t know where to start − I’m in culture shock.”
She soon faces even further adjustment when her husband, Shawn Alcantara, departs for Air Force basic training.

Although new to their career field and to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center where they continue with their on-the-job training, their supervisor said both are solid performers who have hit the ground running.

“Airmen Alcantara and Cruz have already proven themselves to be valuable assets to our surgical suite,” said Tech. Sgt. Jonah Gruner, NCOIC of the operating room. “They both are extremely motivated. They work together seamlessly, yet they seem to keep a good-natured competition between them while completing their Career Development Courses.

“Hopefully, their friendship will continue to grow throughout their careers,” he said. “We are thrilled to have them here.”