JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md., –
Capt. Casey Doane, 1st Helicopter Squadron pilot was recognized as Joint Base Andrews' "Warrior of the Week", Sept. 3, 2014.
Doane was recognized for his contributions to and support of a Senate bill proposing the creation of an Air Force trial program allowing 15-20 deaf and hard of hearing individuals to attend Officer Training School or the Basic Officer Training Course to become commissioned officers.
The bill would allow all individuals with auditory impairments who meet all other qualifications necessary to become an officer to qualify for the program. Currently, the Air Force currently does not allow those with auditory impairments to join.
"There are certain things that deaf people are limited to do, Doane said. "Being a pilot would probably not be a good fit -- not right now. For a completely deaf person, maybe someone who has minor hearing loss, there are jobs they could do just fine."
"It's a trial program," Doane said, "If it doesn't work then it doesn't work, at least we tried and maybe we learn something from it. "But if it does work, maybe we will stumble across something we didn't know could work."
The St. Paul, Minnesota native grew up in a unique family where American Sign Language was his first language and he didn't learn English was until after age four.
Doane who grew up in a family were his mother, father, brother and many cousins are all deaf wrote a letter in support of the legislation.
"When I talk to my brother, [I see] the burning desire he has to do something more. He wants to join the military," Doane said. "He sees me, he looks up to me and he wants to do what I do, but he can't. But if he could, that would be pretty cool."
As a Special Missions Instructor pilot Doane flies UH-1N Helicopter doing special and training missions in the National Capitol Region.
"Capt Doane is doing great work for the deaf community, and he has the personal experiences to advocate for this initiative, said Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing, Joint Base Andrews commander. "Not only is he a stellar officer and pilot - he's a great leader as well."
For his outstanding efforts he was selected as Warrior of the Week.