A local young man wants to be a 20-year man for the U.S. Air Force.

Airman Clinton T. Pickering, 18, from Stanton completed basic training and technical school in Wichita Falls, Texas, earlier this year. He is now in Ellsworth, S.D., where he is working in field system maintenance.

Working in the mechanical field is something that Pickering has always wanted to do ever since he was little. His dad used to racecars, and he used to work with his racing teams.

“I’ve always been mechanically inclined,” he said. “The Air Force was just a great fit for me.”

Pickering is the son of Ronald Seales and Helen Seales of Stanton. He is a graduate of Isabella High School.

Although he does miss being at home, he said he is going to enjoy being in South Dakota.

“It’s just a beautiful area,” he said before he left. “I also met some of the people I’m going to be serving during my basic training. That will help, and I think I’m going to have a good time.”

One of the things that has been most beneficial for Pickering has been the discipline that he has learned.

“It’s a lot tougher being in the Air Force,” he said. “You always have to be on your toes.”

Pickering hopes that he can finish a 20-year career with the Air Force and draw a government retirement.