Austin Charles—2022 Outstanding Alumni

 

Michelle Rawlins introduced Austin Charles, who joined the celebration via Zoom.

 

Introduction by Michelle Rawlins 

Austin Charles is a member of the United States Navy where he has been a Sailor for the last 9 ½ years. He is a 2012 Cardington Lincoln High School graduate and a Tri-Rivers Health Care Professions graduate. After graduation, he entered the United States Navy where he served as an Aircrew Survival Equipmentman / Parachute Rigger (PR) First Class Petty Officer. Austin has been stationed aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73) / USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) out of Yokosuka, Japan, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120) / Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) out of Norfolk, Virginia, and is currently an A-School Instructor in Pensacola, Florida where he is training Sailors who have just completed boot camp.  

Austin was in the first class to be enrolled in the Tri-Rivers Transition sophomore program where he explored some of the trades offered at that time. He participated in classes such as Cosmetology, Graphic Design, and Healthcare Professions.  He chose to pursue the Health Care Professions area of study his junior and senior years in hopes to become a Physical trainer. 

Using the Skills he gained from Tri-Rivers Healthcare Professions, Austin Charles was able to transform them into what he does today where he currently helps instruct over 1000 sailors a year.  

He completed an Associate of Arts in 2017 in general studies and received a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies in Terrorism in 2021. Austin is currently working on his Masters in Homeland Security and Disaster Management from American Military University. Accepted into 2 internships with the navy, he will postpone them due to his military service. He has also completed several journeymen programs the Navy has to offer including: ALSS Technician (8000 hrs.), Canvas Worker (2000 hrs.), Upholster (2000hrs), and Computer Operator (2000 hrs.).  

Austin is an amazing Sailor. He always wants to participate and help wherever he can.  Some of the many awards and achievements he has earned include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), Sailor of the Year (2016, 2017), and Sailor of the Quarter (2018 Q1, 2021 Q3).  He was also selected as one of twelve Active PR`s ranging from E-5 / E-9 where he was the only E-5 that was hand selected to help revamp a training program which would shape future sailors in the PR Rating. 

Austin exemplifies the Tri-Rivers slogan of “A school where you are ALLOWED to, INSPIRED, and EXPECTED to BE AMAZING!”

Austin’s Grandpa, Roger Linder, accepts Austin’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Austin joined the celebration via Zoom.