US Army Central’s Soldier spotlight

Photo By Sgt. Sharmain Burch | This week’s U.S. Army Central Soldier Spotlight is Spc. Stefanie M. Kornegay, USARCENT aviation operations specialist. (Photo by Sgt. Sharmain Burch USARCENT Public Affairs)  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES

10.22.2014

Story by Spc. Sharmain Burch 

U.S. Army Central   

By Sgt. Sharmain Burch
USARCENT Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –U.S. Army Central’s Soldier Spotlight provides an opportunity for the command to Enhance the Force by recognizing Soldiers and their achievements. This week’s Soldier Spotlight is Spc. Stefanie M. Kornegay, USARCENT aviation operations specialist.

Kornegay, a native of Rochester, Wash, joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 2007 and said entering into the Army has opened opportunities for her to make a difference in the world. Kornegay came to U.S. Army Central this year from the 429th Medical Support Brigade in Savannah, Ga.

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I am a very hands-on type of individual; my hobbies mostly explore my crafty side from
repurposing furniture to scrapbooking to basket weaving and making jewelry. I even paint. You name it and I am sure I’ve done it or I’ll likely make it my next hobby.
Q. What do you enjoy doing most during your free time?
A: Free time… what is that? My day is packed full. In my household, every minute of the day is
filled with activities, trips, children and church functions. I am a mother of preschoolers, so meetings and events, volunteering at my church, and quality time with my spouse is my free time. Simply doing the things I love.
Q. What are your short/long term professional goals?
A: My short-term professional goal is to finish up college with a degree in multimedia and web
development. My long-term goal is to start an entrepreneur business using my degree and run my own furniture business. I often take something old, unwanted, forgotten or revamped from its purpose and bring significance back into a piece.
Q. When did you make the decision to become a Soldier and why?
A: I made the decision to join the military a year after I graduated from high school. I was
18-years old and I grew up on the Chehalis Tribal Reservation, which is located between two small towns in the State of Washington. I believed that if I wanted to improve my life and gain experience, I needed to see the world. My father had spent time in the military with Special Forces and he was involved in Operation Desert Storm. He gave so much to this country so I too wanted to contribute in my own way. So, ultimately, the military offered the perfect solution for me.
Q. If you could take a vacation to a location of your choice, where would you go?
A: If I could choose any place, it would be in my own bed. I wouldn’t mind catching some
“zzz’s” and recoup from my active lifestyle.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being a Soldier?
A: To be honest, I enjoy the idea of being among the people who made the commitment to join
the armed services. I meet so many individuals from around the nation and to hear their stories to what led them to where they are in life, amazes me. Just the thought of how we, Soldiers, are all here to serve the same cause; a few started off as my battle buddy but in the end I find that I have gained a friend.
Q. If you could change one thing about the Army, what would you change and why?
A. One thing I truly admire is working with active-duty Soldiers. Since being here at
USARCENT, I would allow reservist and/or National Guardsmen to train, work and eat with active-duty Soldiers. I believe this will allow the reservists to acquire a taste of tangible scenarios of duties entailed before going down range.
Q. If you could hold a different position in USARCENT for one day, what position would you
choose?
A: I would like to be the training noncommissioned officer. This way, I can pick and choose the
“hands-on” military training that will be scheduled.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2014
• Date Posted: 10.22.2014 11:59
• Story ID: 145777
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US
• Hometown: ROCHESTER, WA, US