A staff sergeant who came to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
less than six months ago followed his father, an intelligence specialist, into
the Air Force, but he’s leaving his own footprint in a career field that protects
the service’s people, property and resources.
“Basically, I’m just here to keep the peace,” Staff Sgt.
Matthew Cummings, 902nd Security Forces Squadron patrolman, said. “I love
everything about my job. I love interacting with people. I love all the training
I need to do.”
Cummings, who enlisted in the Air Force in January 2009 and
was first assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., said his duties include
patrolling JBSA-Randolph and responding to medical incidents and flightline or
aircraft emergencies as they occur.
“My duties change depending on what post I am pulling, and
they could range from checking on the Airmen at the gate to writing citations,”
he said.
RAMs, or random antiterrorism measures, are also a part of
Cummings’ day.
Vigilance is a hallmark of his profession.
“I have to be ready to respond to any incident that may
occur,” he said. “Keeping an eye on traffic and writing citations is just an
extra duty.”
Like other SFS members, Cummings faces many challenges each
day, including some of his interactions with the people he is there to protect.
“You get some people that realize you’re only here trying to
do your job, trying to keep them safe,” he said. “And then you get the other
people that think they know more than you, or think they know better than you.”
In those instances, he said, law enforcement officers must
remain courteous.
Cummings said officers must also treat everyone the same –
regardless of rank or position.
“It doesn’t matter what rank you are,” he said. “If you’re
breaking the law, you’re breaking the law.”
Cummings said people often have misconceptions about
security forces members – that their only duties are checking IDs at the gates
and traffic stops.
“We’re out here sometimes 14 hours a day – maybe we didn’t
get lunch or haven’t gotten a break in eight hours – and we still have to put
that smile on and greet you every day,” he said. “It’s not easy doing our job;
it’s not a cakewalk.”
Cummings, who has also been assigned to Büchel Air Base,
Germany, said it’s important for law enforcement officers to have a clear mind
when they come to work.
“You've got to wake up every morning and get in the right
mindset, especially when you have your own personal issues going on at home,”
he said. “You’ve got to set those aside so you can come to work and get the job
done.”
Cummings has been recognized for his law enforcement
efforts.
He was awarded the Top 3 Airmanship Award for the month of
June, his supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Mark Fox, 902nd SFS NCO in charge of police
services, said.
“Cummings was nominated because of his everyday performance
and his efforts to not only make himself better, but to make the Airmen around
him better as well,” he said.
Fox said one of Cummings’ most noteworthy qualities is his
attention to detail on every aspect of the job.
“From entry control to patrolling the base, his approach to
the job does not change,” he said.
Confidence and willingness to learn are the patrolman’s
biggest strengths, Fox said.
“Cummings is always looking for ways to improve and better
himself,” he said. “I always find him reading up on regulations and reports to
increase his knowledge when it comes to law enforcement.”
Fox said Cummings is headed for leadership roles in the
security forces career field, and he’s already taken some initial steps.
“Within the squadron, I would have to say my role is to
guide the new Airmen and make sure they are getting the right information to do
their jobs correctly and efficiently,” Cummings said.
Cummings takes his protector role seriously. It started when
he was the oldest of three brothers, and it continued with his roles as father
and law enforcement officer.
“I was always trying to protect my brothers as much as I
could,” he said. “And I have four children, so that definitely plays a big
part. I always try to make them proud, so I show up every day and try to do the
best I can.”
Cummings said he’s glad he chose the security forces career
field.
“My job is important because I maintain the safety and
security of all the individuals on base so all of our deployed members can go
overseas and do what they need to do knowing their family members are safe at
home,” he said.