Shark of the Week

Staff Sgt. Pedro De Los Santos, 45th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy technician, was selected for Shark of the Week, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The Shark of the Week is selected in order to bring a human voice to the many stories that keep Patrick-Cape developing professional Airmen, delivering 100 percent mission success, and prove wing readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Heidi Hunt)

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De Los Santos: Shark of the Week

Published Oct. 7, 2014
By 45th Space Wing
Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Pedro De Los Santos, 45th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy technician, was selected for Shark of the Week.

De Los Santos was nominated by Tech. Sgt. Michelle Wright, of the 45th MDOS, because she said he constantly demonstrates the epitome of the U.S. Air Force Core Values on a daily basis.

"De Los Santos truly believes in them," Wright said. "He not only enforces standards but abides by them. He has a passion for his job as well as his extra duties."

De Los Santos is the unit fitness program manager but he does not stop at enforcing standards, according to Wright. He is becoming a certified personal trainer to remain as qualified as he can for a job he is passionate about.

Wright said he also spearheaded a complete renovation of the physical therapy clinic, optimizing patient care and privacy.

"He can also be found in the clinic after hours ensuring everything he is responsible for is complete with the greatest efficiency possible," she said.

Furthermore, he is an outstanding Airman who believes in what he does. He shows his passion and kindness every day, she added. He is a shining light in the physical therapy clinic, not only for his patients but for the staff as well.

Name: Pedro De Los Santos

Time in service: 6 years

Hometown: Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Motto: You don't get what you wish for; you get what you work for

Hobbies/Interests: Visiting art museums, collecting vinyl records, attending concerts and watching stand-up comedians, weightlifting and learning about science and history. I also play rugby for the Brevard Red Eyes and enjoy traveling to obscure places off the beaten path.

Why do you serve: My family immigrated to the U.S. with almost nothing to their name and this country has provided us with the opportunity to work for a life unimaginable anywhere else. I feel it is my duty to repay a nation that has provided us with so much. The Air Force allows me to be part of an organization that does things every day to make a positive difference in the world and secures the dream that others may experience the same opportunities my family had.

How do you support the mission: As a physical therapy technician, our mission is to provide outstanding care to our active-duty personnel and get them back in the fight to complete the mission. We provide rehabilitation and treatment procedures for preventative care, chronic, post-surgical and traumatic injuries. Our goal is to not only get service members back to duty but to optimize physical performance to exceed mission expectations.

Contact the 45th Space Wing Public Affairs office to nominate the next Shark of the Week at (321) 494-5933, or email 45swpa@us.af.mil to obtain a request a form.