Turn Around and Help Published June 14, 2015 By Senior Airman Sean D. Smith Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airman 1st Class Javier Ortiz is a military justice paralegal. He's responsible for processing courts-martial, assisting trial counsel with case preparation; and informing commanders, first sergeants and supervisors on administrative and judicial matters involving personnel from both the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing -- but that's not all he does. Ortiz volunteers with the North Dakota Game and Fish department as a hunter's education instructor, and with the Dakota's Boys and Girls Ranch. On base, he's working with another Airman to start the Minot Outdoorsman Association, a club focused on making outdoor activities and sports more accessible. "I really enjoy volunteer activities that allow me to be outdoors and to connect with people in a meaningful way," Ortiz said. "I've always liked helping people and giving back to my community." Ortiz credited his passion for volunteering to something one of his mentors from college told him. "On your way to the top you need to turn around and help someone else up the ladder too," said his mentor. "Those words were really powerful and have had a lasting impression on my life. My father served in the United States Army for 20 years," Ortiz said. Though Ortiz was born in Texas, his father is originally from Puerto Rico and his mother comes from Panama. "As a first generation American, growing up with a military background gave me an interesting perspective on life. I grew up with an appreciation for the military and the sacrifices endured by service members and their families." But Ortiz took an unusual path to the uniform himself. "After graduating high school, I earned a degree in Business Administration Management from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas," Ortiz said. "I worked at International Business Machines for one year, but I found myself not completely satisfied with my work. I knew my calling in life was shifting back towards living up to the new family tradition of serving in the United States military. I asked myself why not join the armed forces? What am I running away from?" Ortiz discussed the decision with his family, and he chose the Air Force at his father's suggestion. "His experience as an Army recruiter led him to believe the Air Force was a better fit for me," Ortiz said. "My goal is to make the Air Force a career." Ortiz said joining was his way of thanking the United States military for giving him and his family a great start in America. "I imagine myself staying in and commissioning as an officer," Ortiz said. "As for now, I'm enjoying the experience of doing something new and meaningful. I will let my career unfold and enjoy the adventure along the way."