Former North Lamar Panther Monty Ponder recently graduated basic training with the United States Air Force at the San Antonio training base on July 5.
Ponder attended Lackland Base which is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and an enclave of the city of San Antonio; is the only entry processing station for Air Force enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT)
“He had his flight record for his gun, he could disassemble and reassemble in 50 seconds. He also had the record for his bed, his drawer, and locker checks,” said Shaffer of her sons stand out accomplishments.
“As an Airman, you reach certain accomplishments and they give you coins. Monty was given his graduation coin and also a coin for attending and never missing bible study and church all nine weeks of training,” she further told.
Schaffer said she and Monty’s father were fully on board with their son wanting to join the military, believing that this was what God had intended for their son to do.
“As he was going through the recruitment process I prayed for God’s will to be done, everything always fell right into place,” said Shaffer
When asked why he was compelled to join the service, Ponder said, “I wanted to better myself, become a more distinguished being, God’s plan.”
For now, Airman Ponder will stay at Lackland while he continues his education at the tech school before assigned to his first base which is still unknown at this time.
“We are super proud of Monty!,” said Shaffer.
Before entering into a military career Ponder spent several years working as a server at the local Casa Del Mara in Paris.
