New Page 1

ASSOCIATION OF PATRIOTIC ARAB AMERICANS IN MILITARY
"Patriotic Arab Americans Making a Difference"

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

EMPLOYMENT

CONTACT US

YEMENI ARAB AMERICAN
STAFF SERGEANT BESHARA TAHER-WATTS

READ HER STORY BELOW

STAFF SERGEANT BESHARA TAHER-WATTS

SSgt Taher-Watts is a Military Justice Paralegal, Office of Staff Judge Advocate, United States Air Force. SSgt Taher-Watts entered the Air Force in 2002. After finishing technical training, she completed an assignment as a Weather Forecaster at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. While there, she served as a Ceremonial Guardsman in the Shaw AFB Honor Guard. In April 2006, she graduated the Paralegal Apprentice Course and was assigned as a Military Justice Paralegal to Dover AFB.

BACKGROUND:
SSgt Taher-Watts was born in California to an American mother and a Yemeni father. She grew up traveling between Yemen and the United States. She is very proud of her heritage.

EDUCATION:
2002 - Weather Forecaster Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi.
2006 - Paralegal Apprentice Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

SSgt Taher-Watts is currently enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force and several credits away from her degree in Weather Technology as well as Paralegal Studies.

ASSIGNMENTS:
November 2002 – May 2006, Weather Forecaster, Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
May 2006 – present, Military Justice Paralegal, Dover AFB, Delaware

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service
Air Force Training Ribbon

2004 - Selected for Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
2004 – Shaw AFB Woman of the Year
2004 – 9AF/USCENTAF Airman of the Year
2004 – 609th Air Operations Group Airman of the Year
2004 – 28th Operational Weather Squadron Airman of the Year

VOLUNTEER WORK:

2003 – Present: Over 2,000lbs of supplies (clothing, toys, toiletries, basic necessities, school and art supplies) have been sent to Al-Rahma Orphanage and the women and children in prison in Yemen. Contributions, both monetary and goods, are contributed by military personnel and civilians.

Below is a link to an article written by the Yemen Observer.
http://www.yobserver.com/cgi-bin/2007/exec/view.cgi/1/6482

2003 – Present: Hospice Volunteer providing emotionally and moral support to terminally ill patients and their families.