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SrA Tamara Mobley-Rosenthal: “You have to pick yourself back up when you fall”

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alex Mercer
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of spotlight interviews featuring various Cannon Commandos.

Assuming you are unacquainted with Senior Airman Tamara Mobley-Rosenthal, 27th Special Operations Security Force Squadron, here are some things you pick up quickly by engaging in conversation with her: she loves working out, has a passion for learning new things, is an expert communicator and storyteller, is terrified of annual weapon qualifications, and feeds off of known personal weaknesses.

The Selma, Alabama, native would quickly tell you that, while she grew up in a relatively small town, she always had big dreams.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Dallas Cowgirl; I always wanted to be a cheerleader and growing up I was in love with the Dallas Cowboys.

That is interesting since you did not grow up near Texas! Why the Dallas Cowboys?
Growing up, everyone in my family loved that team… that is all I ever heard about as a child.

But where do the Dallas Cowgirls fit in? Did you cheer growing up?
Yes, in middle school and high school I was on cheer teams; I was a captain on my high school team. Even in college I cheered; it was my life. I will cheer in some way for the rest of my life.

So what did you study in college if when you were not cheering?
I went straight into musical theater. Unfortunately, you cannot cheer and sing… cheering will ruin your voice quality. I was going to school when I saw an ad for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, and I jumped at the opportunity. After submitting my application and auditioning, I earned my spot at AMDA. The focus was Broadway-style productions – eight shows per week; learning to pick up choreography and improve our voices as true artists in that field.

Have you always enjoyed performing for others?
Yes… absolutely. Once I discovered I was good at it, I ran with it. And it was not work, it just came to me naturally. I love smiling and you get to do a lot of that while cheering.

Speaking of smiling and performing, I heard you recently auditioned for Air Force Tops in Blue; what was that like?
I sent in my packet a year ago. I was anxious and nervous throughout the entire process. The process is very vague. You get a basic overview: the interviews, banquet, dance review, vocal review… you know when the main performance will be; you know the basic checklist, just not the finite details. You are just so nervous about messing up the entire time – no one wants to flub their performance. But the team is very helpful and accommodating, and everyone is so welcoming and supportive of each other. It is an extremely organized program, too.

I know there are different positions; what position were you trying to fill?
They slated me as a vocalist, but I originally auditioned for vocalist and dancer.

So you sang? What did you sing?
They gave me musical theater, ‘Almost There,’ from “The Princess and The Frog”. They give you a sample of the version they would like to hear from you – the exact cut; then it is up to the individual to perform by the performance date.

So from cheering and musical theater, to now being a Defender for our security forces squadron – pretty big difference; what has life been like for you here?
When I first got to Cannon, on post, I consistently was told how pleasant I was and seemingly happy to be doing my job, which was surprising to me. I will say people, mostly my husband, expected me to ‘toughen-up’; people assumed for a while that I would let others walk over me. My leadership has been amazing and very supportive, though.

Is Cannon your first assignment?
Yes, it is.

When you first heard you would be stationed at Cannon, what did you think?
I said, ‘where is that?’ I had never heard of this base.

A lot of people would say being stationed at Cannon gives you a certain amount of perspective on who you are; what have you found you are most passionate about, both professionally and personally while being here?
I find that I am extremely passionate about serving people – my military and local communities. I make every effort to volunteer and offer my assistance whenever opportunities arise. Whether it is helping a local school or volunteering my time at a church, I just enjoy giving back and serving others because of how much of a difference it made in my life growing up seeing other people give back to me and others in the same way. Service before self is not just a quote; it is an Air Force value to live by.

Do you have any random hobbies?
Beyond fitness, I love music. I frequently make choreography notes while listening. I watch a lot of ‘I Love Lucy’ to get inspiration; I love comedy. I am very visual when it comes to inspiration.

So you enjoy old cinema? Okay, it is Friday night… you are sitting comfortably at home watching a movie; what are you watching?
TCM (Turner Classic Movies) – I love my black and white movies. I grew up on them with my mom and aunts. ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is still my all-time favorite; I love ‘Singing in the Rain’.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?
On my way to officer school and back at mission audition for Tops in Blue – I am going to take the critiques they gave me this year and try again.

So you do plan on auditioning again for Tops in Blue? I think that says a lot about you and your level of perseverance!
Absolutely! You always have to keep going and try again if you do not succeed the first time at anything. I have always felt myself fighting to press forward. This internal struggle just gives me my drive. I am a fighter and I will always fight hard for what I want. You always have to pick yourself back up when you fall. Even if something takes you five times, keep going if you really want it.

What is one of the most amazing things or opportunities the Air Force has given you?
The ability to network, especially at a base like Cannon; this wing allows you to have contacts and friends in almost every group and squadron across base. You are able to meet people everywhere you go because of how welcoming our community is. And you see the same faces everywhere… whether it is in the dining facility, the fitness center or base events. People just have to get out there and show face and be personal and professional to make these incredible connections. We truly have the most amazing people to meet right here.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Just as a generality, do not give up on your dreams and desires. Do not put time limits on goals either. Because dreams and desires change as we grow, and we never really stop growing. Keep things alive in yourself to become a better version of you. Find a passion for what you are doing – you may not be the best at something, but you can always challenge yourself to be better. Just do not quit on yourself.

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