Summer Hire

Jaylen Esposito, Summer Hire Program employee and son of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin Esposito, ensures a batter’s box is straight, July 20, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Only Team Aviano teens have the opportunity to take part in the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Harvill/Released)

Summer Hire

Victor Antillon, Summer Hire Program employee and son of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jesus Antillon, drags a grate over a baseball field to smooth the turf, July 20, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Program employees either work as laborers or clerks, performing duties such as yard work, customer service and equipment management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Harvill/Released)

Summer Hire

Jaylen Esposito, Summer Hire Program employee and of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin Esposito, sets a line before chalking a baseball field, July 20, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The program allows Aviano teens to work a full-time job and learn skills such as time management and personal responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Harvill/Released)

Summer Hire

Amariah Morales, Summer Hire Program employee and daughter of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Carlos Ornelas, waters a baseball field, July 20, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Program employees work 30 to 40 hours a week for six weeks during summer break. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Harvill/Released)

Teens take initiative with Summer Hire Program

Published July 23, 2015
By Senior Airman Austin Harvill
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The employees report to the Dragon Fitness Center on a muggy, early morning at Aviano Air Base, Italy. They receive their work for the day, hop in a golf cart and takeoff. They can't waste any time since they must leave work on time today.

After all, they can't keep their parents waiting to pick them up.

They are just three of the 31 teens working over the summer on base, thanks to the 31st Force Support Squadron's Summer Hire Program. The 6-week program allows teens to earn a paycheck over the break, learn responsibility and aid the 31st Fighter Wing's diverse mission.

"The impact the kids have on the workforce cannot be overstated," said Amy Negron, 31 FSS human resources specialist and summer hire liaison. "Their help offsets the vacancies we have due to [permanent change of station]. Without them, a lot of necessary work, like file organization or customer assistance, wouldn't receive the attention required for top performance."

Additionally, Amy said their work has the potential to keep vacant civilian slots open.

"Our summer hire employees' work hours go toward an office's total work hours," said Negron. "If an office doesn't meet a certain number of hours in a year, even if there are job vacancies due to PCS, there is a chance the slots could be cut. The summer hire employees add to the overall total, which maintains our readiness throughout the year."

The teens serve as more than just placeholders. From customer service to labor work, the teens certainly pull their weight, said Jen Brennan, 31 FSS human resources specialist. Tiana, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Adam Link, is a welcome addition to the workforce, said Brennan.

"Tiana is a great help with our organizational work," said Brennan. "With her help, we have the time to tackle big projects we might have put off due to the workload."

From Tiana's perspective, summer hire is an eye-opening experience. Starting high school next year, she believes this job has already helped her come out of her shell.

"All of my [coworkers] treat me like an adult and make this a meaningful experience for me," said Tiana.

After a long day of work, the 31 summer hire employees "punch out" and return home to their families. Whether maintaining a file cabinet or a baseball field, these teens have affected Team Aviano beyond their short tenure.