Now, THIS Is A Diet Plan!
Eleven months ago, Derrick Bell took the first step in a journey
that would change his life in more ways than one.
The 38-year-old husband and father of two shed more than 115
pounds to meet the Air Force Reserve physical standards of
enlistment, astounding his recruiter, family and friends as he
enlisted in the Air Force Reserve January 15 at Elmendorf Air Force
Base.
Lt. Col. Raymond Platt, the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
commander, and Airman Bell met through family and friends over a
campfire outing in 2006 at the Airman's cabin in West Beaver Lake,
AK. With so much in common, they have been true friends ever
since.
Airman Bell became intrigued when Colonel Platt told him about
the F-22 Raptor and the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf Air Force
Base. When Airman Bell expressed interest in the jet and being a
member of the 477th FG, Colonel Platt made it his personal mission
to make that interest a reality.
Platt's research found that his friend wasn't too old to enlist,
as they had previously thought. Air Force Reserve regulation states
that a prior service enlistee's adjusted age must be 40 years old
or less. To find the adjusted age, subtract prior-service time from
the actual age. Airman Bell had previously served more than four
years in the Alaska Army National Guard after he graduated from
high school.
"I told Derrick that if he was interested in joining, I would
help him get back on track," Colonel Platt said. "Derrick jumped at
the opportunity."
Losing 115 pounds in 11 months was a journey for Bell.... and he
didn't lose the weight through fad diets. Instead, he worked hard
to change his lifestyle while controlling his caloric intake.
He got up at 4 am and worked out at the Elmendorf AFB Fitness
Center five days a week. When he could, Colonel Platt was right
there next to him every day. Airman Bell said he cut his food
portions by at least half and hasn't had a beer since February 14,
2008.
Airman Bell came to Air Force Reserve recruiter, Master Sgt.
Robert Bazor, through the friendship he had developed with Colonel
Platt.
"We knew that he had a long way to go before he could enlist,
but we also knew that this was a situation that could be fixed with
the right amount of determination," Sergeant Bazor said. "He called
me every month to give me an update on his weight loss."
Colonel Platt received the added bonus of enlisting Airman Bell
under the Air Force Reserve Get One Now Program. The recruitment
program provides benefits to the Air Force Reserve, the individual
being referred and the person who has recommended the referral.
"I'm always recruiting. Wherever I am in the Alaskan community,
I end up talking about the 477th Fighter Group and how great the
unit is. The conversation comes natural to me," Platt said.
Airman Bell enlisted as his wife, Tricia, daughter, Brittny,
son, Logan, and other family members and friends witnessed Colonel
Platt, administered the oath of enlistment.
Airman Bell credited his support system for much of his
success.
"I feel like I'm getting a 'do-over,'" he said. "My family and
friends are huge supporters. They've been behind me 200 percent
since I decided to go for it."
A lifelong resident of Anchorage, Alaska, Airman Bell works for
the Anchorage School District as a senior warehouse specialist
Mondays through Fridays. His traditional reservist service
commitment to the 477th FG will include working one drill weekend a
month and performing 14 days of annual tour per year.
The 477th FG is an Air Force Reserve classic associate unit that
shares and maintains equipment with the regular Air Force's 3rd
Wing at Elmendorf AFB. The group is responsible for recruiting,
training, developing and retaining Citizen Airmen.
Airman Bell will serve as a crew chief on the F-22. He is
waiting for a class date to attend technical school training at
Sheppard AFB, Texas. When that is completed, he will receive
follow-on training at Tyndall AFB, Fla.
In addition to having the opportunity to work on what he
considers to be the world's greatest fighter jet, Airman Bell said
he has regained his youth and his self-esteem.
"I feel young again," he said. "I'm in better shape and weigh
less than when I got married almost 18 years ago! I've got back my
confidence, and I thought it was gone for good."
(Aero-News thanks Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard, 477th Fighter
Group Public Affairs)