HE graduated on top of his class at the Marianas High School in 1997.
This year, 2nd Lt. Jerome Camacho Deleon Guerrero brought more pride to his family and the local community when he graduated recently from the United States Air Force Academy.
He earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering—the first Chamorro from the CNMI to have done that.
But the 23-year-old Guerrero is not resting his laurels.
He is going to enter the elite USAF pilot training program in January 2003 in Oklahoma to finally become the first Chamorro to be trained as a military pilot licensed to operate jet fighter planes.
The son of retired policeman Serafin A. Deleon Guerrero and retired teacher Maria Camacho, Guerrero first spent a year at the U.S. Air Force Prep School in Colorado, before he was admitted at the academy.
“My SAT score wasn’t that good at first that’s why I went to the Academy Prep School. But then after a year, I pulled it. That’s when I got in the academy,” Guerrero said.
In 1998, Guerrero entered the USAF academy where the physical and mental training is known to be rigid.
“For the prep school it wasn’t as tough as the actual academy. The first year at the actual academy was really hard…,” he said.
Their physical training included at least a two-mile run every day six times a week—rifle drill and obstacle course drill, among others.
Guerrero said he didn’t want to be a pilot at first. It all started during his 10th grade when during their career day activity, some flight attendants visited their school and told their class that they get to travel to any part of the world for just $10.
Guerrero was inspired by the story of the flight attendants because he loves traveling.
During his 12th grade, then Rep. Juan N. Babauta visited MHS and announced that USAF is looking for applicants. Guerrero took the opportunity and applied. He passed the examinations and Babauta nominated him to the academy.
“Then Rep. Juan N. Babauta (now governor) stopped by at the high school when I was in 12th grade and said that there was an opportunity for us to go to the Air Force Academy. It’s free education, so I thought it’s probably better to become a pilot than a flight attendant,” Guerrero said.
That was many years ago and now Guerrero is preparing for his next challenge.
“I’m going to take pilot training in January in Oklahoma. I’m on break right now,” he said.
The pilot training program is the ultimate challenge for aspiring pilots. As a graduate of USAF Academy, Guerrero has a good chance to earn a commercial pilot license within a two-month period. But he wants to take the longer route to better serve the nation.
To be admitted at the USAF pilot training program, one has to have a 20/20 vision, a good sense of hearing, a sound mind and a healthy body.
“Actual pilot training for jet fighters takes a year. Then another year for the plane that you’re going to fly,” Guerrero said.
“If you do pilot training, it’s like doing two different types of planes…when you’re actually flying in the Air Force you would have already flown four different planes,” he added.
Away from his family for nearly five years, Guerrero has managed to survive his culture shock in the mainland and returned home with his diploma.
His journey next year is meant for even greater things and the local community hopes he brings another glory.
“I just don’t want to fail. I don’t like failing at things,” Guerrero said.
