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News
NEWS | July 8, 2024

Airman exemplifies Air Force strength through diversity

By Capt. Dianne Dwyer 316th Medical Squadron

Airman 1st Class Enmy G. Molina Martinez, a public health technician with the 316th Medical Squadron, is a living example of how the Air Force is using diversity to power the world’s greatest Air Force. She is part of the Human Performance Flight, which is reflective of diverse units across the Air Force.

Molina was born and raised in the mountains of Siguatepeque, Comayagua, Honduras, near Soto Cano Air Base. Living in the coffee belt, her grandmother (her abuela) would grow, roast and brew fresh coffee for the family.

“Due to crime, violence and persecution against women, my family sought a better life,” she said.

Molina moved to the United States in 2012 with her mom and her three siblings under political asylum. They settled in Dayton, Ohio, home of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Air Force Materiel Command.

“It was super cold, but there’s nothing a good chili cannot solve,” Molina said, referring to her newfound love for Ohio’s famous Skyline Chili.

As a highschooler, she would visit the Air Force Museum for fun and developed friendships with military families she met at a local Dayton church. One of these family members told Molina of all their military adventures.

“I was inspired,” Molina said. “I wanted to serve the country that gave me a second opportunity in life.”

She joined the Air Force in 2022, went to technical school at the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and arrived at her first duty station, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in 2023.

Amid recruiting challenges, the military has focused on recruiting from diverse groups that historically have been underrepresented. Molina is an active illustration of how Air Force recruiting efforts are leveraging diversity.  

Once while conducting a food facility inspection on the base, the kitchen staff on site spoke limited English. Molina's first language is Spanish, so she conducted the inspection in Spanish. She was able to establish rapport with the staff and the facility is now one of the top compliant establishments on the base.

Molina continues to demonstrate and promote DEI in the organization by participating in monthly observances, as well as DEI events across Air Force District of Washington. This month, she is volunteering for Joint Base Andrews’ Diversity Day. As a public health technician, she helps inspect the food trucks invited to participate in the celebration.

“I just want to make sure the food is served by Air Force standards and that the attendees are safe,” she said.

Molina serves as an example of how the Air Force benefits from an ethnically and culturally diverse community. Molina is unwavering in her commitment to upholding the Air Force’s food standards, but she is gracious when it comes to reviewing the Air Force’s coffee.

“The coffee is not my abuela’s,” she said, “but it’s decent.”