Huron native credits 4-H background for success in Air Force
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Traversing the globe on deployments for the U.S. Air Force, Ericka (Meligan) Flanigan's thoughts often reflect on moments spent in the Stanley County 4-H Achievement Days showring.
"Showmanship taught me to give my best - even when I was tired. Showmanship was always the last event of the day, so I would have already shown 20-head of sheep and then, I had to do my best. That mentality has gotten me through several deployments," explains the Vice Wing Commander of the 70th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Wing.
With 6000 service men and women answering to her, lives depend upon Flanigan's ability to be at her best and confidently make tough decisions - whether she is stationed in a combat zone or in her office at Fort George Meade, Maryland.
"I think about 4-H judging almost every day - honestly, whether making million-dollar decisions or mission critical choices. I need to think about what makes one decision better than the next," Flanigan says. "Whether it was livestock, horticulture or arts and crafts, 4-H judging contests gave me the ability to look at options and make a good decision."
Oral reasons have also come in handy, she adds. "I need to be able to back up my decisions."
COURTESY PHOTOS
South Dakota 4-H alumnus, Ericka Flanigan is the U.S. Air Force Vice Wing Commander of the 70th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Wing. Flanigan credits 4-H with teaching her valuable lessons and developing her into the leader she is today.
Pictured next in 1990 at the South Dakota State Fair as a member of the winning, Stanley County 4-H Beef Quiz Bowl Team. Other members of the team include (left to right): Brian Jennings, Charlie Prince and Barry Jennings.