INSTRUCTORS
SMSgt Hector H. Velazquez-Ramos
SMSgt Hector H. Velazquez-Ramos served in the United States Air Force for more than 26 years of distinguished military service, culminating in his role as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 628th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at JB Charleston, SC. Throughout his career, he served as the senior enlisted advisor to commanders and executive leadership teams, providing strategic guidance on personnel readiness, unit performance, professional development, and mission execution. In his final assignment, he advised on the welfare, readiness, and effective utilization of more than 243 personnel while overseeing operations supporting an annual budget exceeding $15 million.
Senior Velazquez-Ramos enlisted in the United States Air Force in June 1999 as a Pharmacy Technician. Throughout his career, he held progressively challenging leadership positions across the medical, operational, and personnel communities. His diverse assignments included service as a Pharmacy Technician, NCOIC, Pharmacy Flight Chief, Senior Enlisted Leader, and multiple First Sergeant positions. His ability to lead organizations through complex operational environments earned him selection as First Sergeant for the 16th Airlift Squadron, 423rd Communications Squadron, 423rd Civil Engineering Squadron, and 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, where he was entrusted with the care, discipline, and readiness of hundreds of Airmen and their families.
His military service included overseas assignments in the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, as well as deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Panama. During these assignments, he served in both combat support, expeditionary leadership, and humanitarian roles, further strengthening his expertise in operational readiness, crisis leadership, and mission support.
Senior Velazquez-Ramos has consistently demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. He earned an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology and an Associate of Applied Science in Human Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in General Studies from Louisiana Tech University, and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy University. He also completed numerous military leadership programs, including the Airman Leadership School, NCO Academy, Air Force First Sergeant Academy, SNCO Academy, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I and II, and the Professional Managers Certification Program.
Throughout his career, Senior Velazquez-Ramos was recognized for exceptional leadership and performance. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. His units earned multiple Meritorious Unit and Outstanding Unit Awards, reflecting the highly performing organizations he helped lead.
Following his retirement from active duty, Senior Velazquez-Ramos continued his passion for developing future leaders and serving military families. He transitioned into education as an Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, South Carolina, where he mentors and develops high school cadets while instilling the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. His career reflects an enduring commitment to servant leadership, mentorship, organizational excellence, and preparing the next generation of leaders.
Msgt Angela Powell ASI
Master Sergeant Angela D. R. Powell is a retired First Sergeant from active duty after 24 years and 18 days of service. She was the First Sergeant for the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron and the 437th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. She was responsible for the health, welfare, and safety of enlisted personnel and the principal advisor to the commanders on all enlisted matters.
MSgt Powell was born in Spartanburg, SC. She graduated from East Forsyth Senior High School in Kernersville, NC in 1984. After attending Winston-Salem State University for a short period of time, Sergeant Powell entered the Air Force on active duty in 1987 as a Security Specialist. Her first duty station was Grand Forks, ND. She relocated to Comiso AS, Italy in 1989 after attending Ground Launch Cruise Missile training. She then moved to Scott AFB, IL in 1990 and was assigned as an Elite Gate Guard member for Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command. MSgt Powell was a supervisor, training leader and later became the Law Enforcement Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. In 1995 she subsequently relocated to Nellis AFB, NV when she cross-trained into the Law Enforcement career field. MSgt Powell was a patrol officer until she was selected to be the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Elite Gate Guards and later the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Resource Protection. In 1998 MSgt Powell cross trained again into Aviation Resource Management and relocated to Langley AFB, VA. She was Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Exercises and Training Scheduling while assigned to ACC Headquarters DOOT and later Superintendent of the 94th Fighter Squadron in the 1st Fighter Wing. MSgt Powell was selected to be a First Sergeant in 2005 and moved to Charleston, SC where she was assigned to three different squadrons during her tenure. She was an active member of the First Sergeants Association, the TOP 3 Association, and the African American Heritage Committee. She briefed over 500 Airmen on Discipline, Ethics, Standards, Customs and Courtesies, Financial Management and Family Care responsibilities. MSgt Powell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and Associates Degrees in Security Administration, Business Administration Aeronautics/Aviation Management and Human Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force. MSgt Powell has deployed several times in support of the war on terrorism. She deployed with 2nd Air Force as a liaison for Airmen attending Army Combat Skills Training at Fort Lewis, WA, Fort McCoy, WI and Fort Sill, OK. She deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar with the 17th Airlift Squadron in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. She is married to retired MSgt Dwayne Powell and they have four daughters.