An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 31, 2020

AZ Airman earns black belts, articulates discipline concepts

By Capt. Tinashe Machona 161st Air Refueling Wing

GOLDWATER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ariz. – For Senior Master Sgt. Scott Newberger, a dedication to mastering martial arts put him on a path for success, where discipline became a principle that governs his life and military career. He achieved the status of black belt in Kenpo Karate and Kajukenbo Karate.

As a student at the University of New Mexico, Newberger, 161st Air Refueling Wing human resource adviser and committee member on the Diversity and Inclusion Council, took an introductory judo class. The rigors of the class taught him to be mentally and physically tough. After judo, he directed his passion to karate.

Newberger earned his black belts from his current instructors, professors Jerry Shaw and Sifu Ronald Thayer. "They are both huge influences in my life. They not only taught me principles of the martial arts, but precepts and skills I use in the military and everyday life. They encourage me to keep going as both black belt programs were long and very challenging," Newberger said.

"Over the course of studying and applying martial arts, I learned that the concept is about discipline and respect," said Newberger. "I liken martial arts to meditation, which allows me to focus and really be in-tune with my spirit. Over a period of time, it becomes second nature and I have to say, it is therapeutically satisfying."

Newberger credits one of his first instructors, Ray Barrera, who was a special forces operator, for motivating him to study the fundamentals of martial arts throughout his life, which has helped mold him into the caliber of person he is today.

"Ray Barrera also had a major impact on my life. He taught me the principal tenets of martial arts is respect, which, if adhered to, will bring about the essence for a better life," Newberger said. "It helps you to blow off steam and enhances your ability to concentrate on any given task. The discipline and ability to control your emotions is very relatable to my duties in the military."

He added that self-restraint and self-control are skills he extracted from his martial arts training, making him a better Airman.

"When unexpected things happen and panic attempts to takes over, I fall back to my training, which helps me remain calm and react in a manner that is productive for everyone," he said. "This, in my view, is crucial in a military environment because you learn to steer away from emotional decisions, but rather think in a calm and collected manner."

As a consultant on the Diversity and Inclusion Council, Newberger explained the core function of the council is to ensure "that everyone has an opportunity to leverage their strengths to help accomplish the mission of the Wing. This includes facilitating growth and development for our Airmen."

Staff Sgt. Victoria Linder, equal opportunity specialist and president of the Diversity and Inclusion Council for the Wing, applauded Newberger's leadership and enthusiasm. "He always encourages Airmen to do their best in all circumstances. His standards are beyond reproach."

"Self-discipline, compassion and respect are only a few words I would use to describe Senior Master Sgt. Newberger. He truly is an inspiring leader who embodies within," said Linder.

Newberger has done martial arts with all his children. Two daughters have blue belts, two sons have brown belts and one daughter is a fellow black belt.

"I feel very fortunate that God gave me the opportunity and ability to study an art I love and share with my children," Newberger said.

 

 

Related Articles
Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force work alongside their RTAF counterparts in small groups to finalize their respective training objectives at the Enduring Partners 2025 final planning conference in Spokane, Wash., May 20, 2025. The working groups focused on areas such as air operations, ground-controlled interception, Air Force Special Warfare, cyber, combat communication, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief medical logistics, intel, and space.
Royal Thai Air Force, Washington Guard Finalize Plans for Enduring Partners 2025
By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon, | May 29, 2025
SPOKANE, Wash. – Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force assembled in western Washington May 19-24 to finalize plans for Enduring Partners 2025, an exercise involving RTAF and the Washington...

Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...