Story by UTC Scott Kristek, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Learning Site, Detachment Sheppard Air Force Base Public Affairs
UT1(SCW) Thomas Vetter teaches Block 3 of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration to the next generation of Seabees attending Utilitiesman A School, CSFE DET Sheppard Learning Site, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
Utilitiesman 1
st Class (SCW) Thomas Vetter was selected as the 2012 Instructor of the Year at the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Learning Site, Detachment Sheppard Air Force Base (CSFE Det SAFB), Texas.
All of the staff and chain of command here are very supportive to ensure we have the opportunity to succeed in all we desire to pursue both personally and professionally, said Vetter. There are a lot of top-notch members here on this team, and I am very proud and honored to represent them with my selection.
Vetter reported to CSFE Det SAFB 2010 as the Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (WFSM) leading petty officer (LPO), teaching plumbing and fuel system fundamentals to prospective utilitiesmen (UTs) in A School.
In addition, he serves as the Navy Military Training (NMT) LPO for the Navy barracks at CSFE DET SAFB, where he provides military training and drill practice, and manages 400+ personnel who process through the site. Vetter is currently the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration schoolhouse LPO where he manages day-to-day operations, and is the prime instructor for four blocks of instruction. He is also the Master Training Specialist (MTS) coordinator, providing training, qualification boards and tracking for all staff members.
Petty Officer Vetter is a competitive instructor and leader. When I make rounds in the HVAC Schoolhouse, he is very interactive with his students, said Lt. j.g. Majellan Changcoco, CSFE Det SAFB officer in charge. He has tirelessly shown his commitment to our Navy and the Air Force by educating and leading our young Sailors and Airmen into [becoming] future leaders.
His positive attitude resonates to the students he teaches, encouraging them to succeed and rise up during challenging times! Changcoco added.