Focus on the Force: Senior Airman Kay Ann Wright-Donaldson

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Hansen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  On a daily basis, she helps Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen conclude their careers in the United States Air Force at the Military Personnel Section here.

Senior Airman Kay Ann Wright-Donaldson, 341st Force Support Squadron separation and retirement personnelist, serves as a liaison between the active-duty Air Force and the civilian world. Her job has allowed her to view an Air Force career almost backward.
"It makes me stop and think," Airman Wright-Donaldson said. "What do I want to do before I get out?"

Airman Wright-Donaldson begins a normal day by checking for new separations or retirements and sending them to the appropriate member. From there, she maintains the computer aspects of each request. She finishes up the second half of her day by assisting people with out-processing and accepting walk-in requests for information as they come in.

Airman Wright-Donaldson works hand-in-hand with her supervisor, Staff Sgt. Melissa Kellner, the 341st FSS non-commissioned officer in charge of separations and retirements.

"She makes my job a lot easier," Sergeant Kellner said. "Without her helping me, it would be chaos and everything would be unorganized."

Sergeant Kellner joined Team Malmstrom just a few short months ago, so Airman Wright-Donaldson has helped her transition into her current position.

"She's an essential part of what I do know now," Sergeant Kellner said.

Among all of the things her job requires her to do, her favorite part is assisting Airmen with retirement.

"Those are the members who've served their time," she said. "They've done their time and you want to do something special for them before they get out. I'm doing justice for them because they have done their part."

Along with her primary duties, Airman Wright-Donaldson has several additional duties that she completes during her duty hours. She is currently one of the tax volunteers on base.

"It can be overwhelming, but I'm able to handle it," she said. "It keeps me on the go, and I like that. I like to be on the go all the time."

Aside from her work day, Airman Wright-Donaldson volunteers constantly for activities both on and off base. She is an active member with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and volunteers for the March in Montana and Meals on Wheels events every year. She participates in flag details on base whenever she can, and also volunteers at the Airman's Attic and Tax Center.

"To me, doing just your work is not being an Airman," she explained. "The least I could do is give back to the community. Sometimes I feel like I don't volunteer enough."

At the end of the day, all work aside, Airman Wright-Donaldson joins her husband, Andre Donaldson, and 2-year-old daughter, Kay-Leigh, at home. Although a New York native, she has spent the past three and a half years making a home in Montana.

"It brought my family closer - all of the outdoor things to do," she said, referring to her life in Montana.

Airman Wright-Donaldson will get to experience, first-hand, what it's like to be on the receiving end of her services. She is up for reenlistment on Sept. 10, and plans to either reenlist - if she receives a new assignment - or attend officer training school as she has received a medical degree. If all else fails, she plans to continue her Air Force career as a reservist.