D-M Airmen show off their talent

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  More than 100 members of D-M congregated at the Mirage Club to watch their peers compete in D-M's Got Talent here Aug. 25.

Twelve contestants answered the challenge and competed against one another to see who would reign victorious and be the best of the best in the competition.

"The idea came from an Airman from the First Term Airman Center," said Tech. Sgt. Katie Neeley, vice president of the Culture of Responsible Choices and the master of ceremonies for the event. "We decided to base it on America's Got Talent because not everyone can sing. Some people dance or perform magic."

Even though the event was based on the show America's Got Talent, where contestants can show off other talents besides just singing, every Airman in the show displayed their musical singing prowess.

A panel of five judges graded each performer on three areas: quality, crowd participation and originality.

The selection of songs performed ranged from Bon Jovi's 'Wanted, Dead or Alive', Leann Rimes' 'Cowboy Sweetheart', Colbie Caillat's 'Bubbly' and many others. The performers were just as varied in their performances and outfits. Some performers played instruments such as guitars and even a ukulele as they sang, while others dressed up to match the tone of their song.

After all the performers were finished and the scores for each were being tallied, the chief master sergeants and the first sergeants of the 355th Fighter Wing squared off against each other in skits they performed to win over the crowd.

The first sergeants, lead by Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Blue, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron 1st Sergeant, did their version of Monty Python's 'Lumberjack' song, with everyone dressed in their best lumberjack outfit.

The chiefs, lead by Chief Master Sgt. Vincent Howard, 355th Fighter Wing command chief, responded by dressing up like rappers and performed Soulja Boy's 'Crank That (Soulja Boy).' They even had a choreographed dance routine with the song. But ultimately, the crowd favored the first sergeants.

The results of the competition were ready to be announced. The winner of D-M's Got Talent was Master Sgt. Jacqueline Pinkett-Smith, a reservist with the 943rd Rescue Group. Her song of choice was Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train to Georgia'.

"It feels absolutely fantastic to be the winner," Sergeant Pinkett-Smith said. "I chose that song because I love Gladys Knight. It's more upbeat and I knew I would be able to get some crowd participation."

Surprisingly, Sergeant Pinkett-Smith didn't even sign up to compete in the competition.

"One of my co-workers signed me up," Sergeant Pinkett-Smith said. "She didn't even give me a choice."

Overall, D-M's Got Talent was a resounding success.

"We put on events like these because we want to find alternatives for Airmen," Sergeant Neeley said. "These are fun things that everyone can come out and do. We want to increase morale and have something for Airmen to do so they're not stuck in their dorms or out making bad decisions."