MDG Airman: more than just BTZ winner Published March 25, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It was 2004 when she left Lagos, Nigeria. She was only 17 years old, but eager to begin her new life and take advantage of the many opportunities that America had to offer. "I wanted to do something more, something bigger," said Senior Airman Oluwaseyi Adetunji, public health technician from the 5th Medical Operations Squadron. About a year after she moved to America. While living in Atlanta, Ga., she seized the chance to receive a higher education, she said. Adetunji completed four years of college at Albany State University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in forensic science. After achieving one of her goals, she set her sights higher and joined the Air Force in 2011, where she planned to make a difference while exploring the many pathways to her future, she said. Adetunji found herself moving north, to her first duty assignment at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. In her time serving in the military, Adetunji has accomplished many things, she said. Her willingness to devote her time to multiple organizations and jobs across the base contributed to her earning a below-the-zone promotion, where an airman first class is awarded the next rank six months early. In addition, she is also the treasurer for the medical group booster club and even passed a language proficiency test in Yoruba, a language native to West Africa. "I don't realize how much I do ... I see myself as just another Airman," Adetunji said. "I hope it helps motivate other Airmen to want to be better and do more." For Adetunji, it is important that she volunteers her time to things that mean something to her, she said. Because of that, she is a victim's advocate for the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator program. "Being involved with SARC is really important to me because I have had friends impacted by sexual assault," Adetunji explained. "They didn't have the resources we have now." When the on-base pharmacy was only 50 percent manned, they turned to Adetunji, who is nationally certified to work in a pharmacy, for help. "She selflessly volunteered her pharmaceutical knowledge to augment the pharmacy staff during a recent manning shortfall," said Tech. Sgt. Leon Russell Jr., 5th Medical Group diagnostics and therapeutics flight chief, who supervised Adetunji while she helped in the pharmacy. "As a direct result of her service before self, knowledge and ability to fill prescriptions without error, she reduced wait times by 50 percent." Currently Adetunji is enrolled in the University of Florida, where she is working on achieving her master's degree in pharmaceutical science with a concentration in forensic serology and DNA. She is also hoping to attend airman leadership school and complete her associate degree in the Community College of the Air Force soon. With her future goals strictly outlined, she hopes to make it into officer training school and make the Air Force a long-term career. "It's going to be a life-changing experience, because I'll have the opportunity to impact another Airman's life," Adetunji said. "I'll tell them my story of how I started as an airman first class and worked my way to the top." No matter where she ends up, Adetunji will strive to leave a positive impression.