332nd AEW Airmen take lessons learned from Youth Challenge Academy to thrive in Air Force

Published Jan. 21, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Sometimes people say life offers many challenges, some more difficult than others. Senior Airman Ephesians Bagorio, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Kameron Combis, 332nd Expeditionary Communication Squadron, encountered some of life's harder challenges at an early age.

It is what the two men learned at the Barber's Point Campus of the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy (YCA) that enabled them to face those challenges head on. Both Combis and Bagorio attended and graduated from the academy in 2007 as part of Class 27.

"If I didn't go to the Challenge [Academy], I would be stuck in life's struggle, still hanging out with the wrong crowd...either doing the same things I did as a kid or honestly I would be in jail," Bagorio said.

The YCA is a six-month program that teaches its cadets eight core components, ranging from physical fitness and academic excellence to community service and responsible citizenship. It instills morals and values into the cadets.

"If I hadn't gone through the program I wouldn't have the respect I have now for people in general, because growing up it was about all about who is tougher," Bagorio stated. "But the Challenge [Academy] taught me how to respect people -- not just my elders, but people in general."

After cadets complete the six-month program they enter a year-long follow-up phase where they have to enter the work force, join the military or continue on to higher education.

"Looking back, I saw that I really needed the Challenge [Academy], it really prioritized and reorganized my life," Combis said.

The YCA also prepared both Combis and Bagorio for the challenges they would face coming into the military.

"Basic [Military Training] was nothing like youth challenge," Bagorio started, "...basic training was hard, but youth challenge was tougher, a lot tougher," he said.

Using what was instilled in them at a young age when they went through the YCA and what was taught at basic military training, Combis and Bagorio continue to strive through the challenges of being in the military.

"I take pride in my work; I try to get it right the first time...not only to get the mission done but to know that I am able to do it," said Combis. "Like I sign off on and I won't just put my signature on something done incorrectly."

The YCA taught these Airmen the meaning of respect and how it is incorporated in everyday life. Being in the military contributes to everything that they have learned through the Challenge Academy, and it continues to show in both Combis and Bagorio through their work ethic and their approach to their jobs and peers, and, themselves.

A challenge was issued to these Airmen: to overcome and prosper in life. Challenge accepted... challenge complete.