JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Airman 1st Class John Rodriguez, 89th Communications Squadron radio operator!
Watching Airman Rodriguez running on the track outside the Education Services Office and Military Personnel Flight, one might wonder if all the jet noise from the flight line is actually coming from his running shoes. With the speed of a cheetah and the grace of a gazelle, Airman Rodriguez' strides seemingly never hit the ground. When one sees Airman Rodriguez move, running like the wind does not come to mind. Rather, Airman Rodriguez "runs like hell."
Airman Rodriguez utilizes his Fit-to-Fight passion, love of running and dedication to health and fitness to help mentor fellow Joint Team Andrews members within his unit.
"While I love to run, I love the opportunity to help my fellow Airmen out more than anything," he said. "I don't want to see anyone fail or get kicked out because of fitness."
One day, after seeing a number of his fellow Airmen failing to meet their fitness goals, he decided to take them under his wing. Of six fellow Airmen in his tutelage, the first three tested with 80 points or above. Previously, they had tested in the mid-70s. The other three are currently preparing for their PT tests.
"He's the best wingman," said Airman 1st Class Kailie Dougherty, 89th Communication Squadron radio operator and mentee. "I had just gotten off maternity leave and was real nervous about my PT test. I thought I would fail, but Airman Rodrigues just didn't let me stop running, and I passed with an 87."
On the face of it, Airman Rodriguez might have an ego to match his speed, but that at-a-glace judgment would be as far from the truth as can be possible.
Instead, Airman Rodriguez is a down to earth, genuine Airman whose heart and motivation is found in helping other Airmen succeed in meeting their fitness goals.
"He's helped me significantly with my run time," said Senior Airman Felicia Ferrel, 89th Communication Squadron radio operator and mentee. "He runs with me, encourages me the whole time saying, 'you can do it!' and 'it's not that bad!'"
A California native who started running when he was just 8-years-old, Airman Rodriguez joined the Air Force in 2008. While part of the Rialto, Ca., Carter High School Army ROTC program, Airman Rodriguez helped mentor his fellow cadets to meet their fitness goals. As a high school student, he liked the ROTC program so much, he decided to join the Air Force.
Today, running a mile and half in just 6:45, Airman Rodriguez says that the stress he feels just melts away when he steps onto the track.
"I have a motto that I live by that I think of over and over in my head when I'm running. 'You have one life. Make it count,'" he said with a smile as he strapped on his presumably jet-propelled shoes and stepped back onto the track - only to never step foot on the ground again until he stopped running.