Photo By Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Makenna Greenlee, 99th Force Support Squadron food...... read more read more
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From small-town Texas sports fields to internationally competing in the U.S. Air Force rugby team, Senior Airman Makenna Greenlee, 99th Force Support Squadron food services journeyman, has carried her passion for athletics into every chapter of her life. Just as she supports her teammates on the field, in food service she helps lead dining facility shifts, overseeing meal preparation and safety standards to keep Airmen fueled and mission-ready. Today, Greenlee credits her years of competition and teamwork as a driving force behind her success in the United States Air Force.
Raised in Lubbock and Wolfforth, Texas, Greenlee grew up in a bustling home unlike most. Adopted at age three into a family that eventually grew to be 30 siblings, she quickly learned the value of teamwork, discipline and resilience. Whether on the court, the field or at home with her brothers and sisters, she faced challenges that prepared her for the future.
“I was always involved in sports,” said Greenlee. “Softball, volleyball, basketball, flag football, track, cross country, even indoor soccer. Athletics shaped me from the very beginning.”
Home-schooled throughout her childhood, Greenlee was part of a close-knit athletic community known as the Homeschool Titans. Her drive and dedication led her to make history as the first Titan to earn a softball scholarship to Clarendon College in Texas. Though her time there was brief, her pursuit of excellence on the field eventually guided her toward a new path: service to her country.
Inspired by her older brother’s service as a policeman, sheriff and Emergency Medical Services worker, Greenlee sought to follow his example of dedicating a life to service. Choosing to carry that value forward on a larger scale by joining the Air Force.
“After my first year of college softball, I realized I wanted something more. I was seeking a greater purpose,” said Greenlee. “The Air Force has given me the chance to challenge myself, grow as a leader, and serve my country, while building a strong future.”
Her passion for sports remained constant. At her first duty station, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, she was introduced to rugby when Maj. Katie Mueller, Secretary of the Air force Public Affairs manager for the Department of the Air Force civic leader program, invited her to join a recreational team. Though new to the sport, Greenlee’s years of competitive athletics laid the foundation for her rapid development.
“Rugby challenged me in ways other sports hadn’t, but everything I’d learned from years of competition helped me adjust,” Greenlee explained. “Major Mueller became a mentor to me and the team gave me another family to grow with.”
Four years later, rugby has become one of Greenlee’s defining pursuits. Her dedication to the sport recently earned her the honor of representing the U.S. Air Force in an international tournament in New Zealand, competing against athletes from around the globe.
“Being able to wear the Air Force jersey and represent the United States on the rugby field is an incredible honor,” said Greenlee. “It symbolizes everything the Air Force stands for: teamwork, readiness and excellence.”
Greenlee's daily routine reflects her commitment. She begins each day with Bible study and fitness training before reporting for duty. After work, she focuses on recovery, training and staying connected with teammates through a coordinated group chat. For her, balancing military service and athletics isn't a burden, it's harmony.
“The structure of the military and the discipline of athletics go hand in hand,” she said. “What I do on the field makes me stronger for the mission and what I learn in service makes me a better team player.”
Her leadership recognizes that balance.
“SrA Makenna Greenlee is a shining example of tenacity and commitment,” said Lt. Col. Brittany Lee, 99th Force Support Squadron Commander, who supported her participation in the international tournament. “She finds a way to give her best to both the mission and her teammates, embodying what it means to serve with excellence.”
Looking ahead, Greenlee has ambitions that reach beyond what she has already accomplished. With dreams of competing at the Olympic level, she also plans to continue building a long-term career in the Air Force, recently reenlisting with a goal of serving for 20 years or more.
She hopes her story inspires other Airmen to pursue their passions, both on and off duty.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities or to step outside your comfort zone,” she said. “Start with local base sports, find mentors and keep building from there. You never know what doors will open.”
Whether leading on the rugby field, excelling in her squadron or preparing for her next assignment, Greenlee continues to embody the Air Force’s core values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do.
“My journey has been about faith, family and resilience,” said Greenlee. “Athletics and service aren’t two separate parts of my life, they’re interconnected and they both push me to be the best version of myself.”
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2025 14:31 |
| Story ID: | 550034 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Service, Strength and Sport: Senior Airman Greenlee’s Path to Olympic Ambitions, by A1C Heather Amador Paulino, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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