News

Reservist's dream comes true with Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Perseverance is key to success and after many years of dedication and determination, Tech. Sgt. Katie Badowski, 446th Services Flight here, finally made her dreams a reality.

Sergeant Badowski saw Tops in Blue, the Air Force special unit made up of talented amateurs, perform while she was a member of the Washington Army National Guard and said she was immediately hooked. Sergeant Badowski said she started her Air Force career with every intention of joining Tops in Blue.

"You can't knock down someone that has a dream," said Lt. Col. Patricia Keenan, 446th SVF commander. "When you have something inside of yourself that you want to express, it's bigger than you are."

Applying for the entertainment group involves a long application, an audition video, and if selected, an arduous 10-day competition at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Most applicants don't make it to the 10-day competition and after failing to make the cut, they almost never reapply, said Sergeant Badowski. But Sergeant Badowski isn't like most candidates - she said she applied six times over the years and auditioned four times before making the final cut.

"Katie's very persistent and that's obvious," said Colonel Keenan. "Katie is one of only two Reservists who applied for Tops in Blue and she came back not just once, but many times because this is something that's important to her."

Every time you compete you learn how to improve your leadership skills or interpersonal skills, said Sergeant Badowski. With each application and audition, I learned something about myself and I would work on some new skill, said Sergeant Badowski.

"So even if I didn't make the cut I would feel like I accomplished something," said Sergeant Badowski. Last year they told me they loved my drive but I worked on a broader base of vocal talent and that seemed to help me find success, said Sergeant Badowski.

While Tops in Blue is celebrating 56 years of entertainment history, Sergeant Badowski will be making her dream of showcasing her vocal talents with the premier group for the first time.

She leaves for Tops in Blue March 9.