Airman gets a lift in the Reserve

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis E. Keith
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  "Joining the Reserve opened a lot of new doors for me," said Senior Airman Perla A. Tapia, personnel specialist, 69th Fighter Squadron.

Before she joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Tapia worked in the registration office at a local high school and went to the gym to keep in shape. She put college on the backburner, but enlisting in the Reserve changed all that. The young Airman is now taking advantage of tuition assistance, earning her first degree at a local university while simultaneously competing as an amateur powerlifter.

"I was introduced to powerlifting by a personal trainer at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., in January 2011, while attending tech school there," said Tapia. "Even though the Air Force doesn't have an official powerlifting team; I am definitely representing the Blue. Being a Reservist is an integral part of my life."

Tapia has taken her powerlifting to the next level. She is ranked eighth by the Natural Athlete Strength Association, holding the Arizona, American and juniors 132 lb. women's "raw" record, raw referring to lifting without supportive equipment such as bench-press shirts--only belts and wrist-wraps are allowed.

Recently, Tapia achieved a personal best of 308 pounds on the dead lift at the 2012 Southern Powerlifting Federation Women's Pro/Am in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 4.

"It was exciting," she said. "There were a lot of people there and it was broadcast live on supertrainingtv.com."

Tapia entered the squat, bench, and deadlift in the amateur lightweight raw division. Overall, she placed 6th out of 22 women.

"I should have come in 3rd, but I missed my first squat because I wasn't hitting parallel. I learned that I need to trust myself and the training, and not get distracted by the media covering the event," said Tapia.

This was her seventh competition in less than a year since starting the sport.

Tapia's power lifting goal is to be one of the top three lifters in the United States in the 132 lb. women's raw category. While academically, she will continue to pursue higher education.

"After I earn my associate degree in science next year from Glendale Community College, I will transfer to Arizona State University, to pursue a bachelor's in secondary education specializing in chemistry," she said.

Balance is obviously no small task for this athletic Airman, with tons of ambition; she has no plans to slow down. She says her Reserve career allows her the flexibility to pursue her education, and her powerlifting helps her stay fit-to-fight for her enlistment, something she would like to turn into commissioned service someday.

Without doubt, this Airman is a leader, a positive example for her fellow service-members.

"Senior Airman Tapia's fitness is a model for all Reservists to emulate," said Lt. Col. Robert Whitehouse, commander, 69th Fighter Squadron. "The discipline she demonstrates on a daily basis, competing in powerlifting, advancing her academic studies, and performing her AFRC duties in the 69th FS will pay her and AFRC huge dividends in the future as she becomes a leader in both AFRC and the local community."
For more information on powerlifting at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. contact the Bryant Fitness Center at 623-856-6241.