Souda Spotlight: Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Cheryl Sonderman

Story and photo by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Cheryl Sonderman joined the Navy in August 2014 and has been stationed at NSA Souda Bay since January 2021. Sonderman, a Chicago native, said she joined the Navy to further her education and is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with the goal of eventually earning a master’s degree. She said she chose the AZ rate because it was the most interesting job for her since she enjoys doing paperwork. Sonderman is a member of the Air Operations Department where she is working outside of her rate by managing the department’s personnel administration paper work, so her teammates can focus on handling incoming and outgoing aircraft.

What does a typical day look like in Air Operations?

I work in close contact with base Admin to provide them with whatever information they need. I use a program called FLTMPS (Fleet Training, Management and Planning System) and OIX (Official Information Exchange) to find out who’s leaving and being gained in When you're not at work, what do you enjoy Souda Bay. Also, people will come up to me if doing? they have any problems with their pay. I use TOPs (Transaction Online Processing System) to ensure pay is good. If it isn’t I would go in NSIPS (Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System) and report that to Admin. I am also the department career counselor, so I manage people’s careers within my department, so around 15 people.

Have you learned anything new?

I’ve learned so much more about administration work instead of aviation, it is literally crazy. I did not think I would ever be on this side of the Navy. I have never been in Admin before so everything I have learned here is brand new to me, from being a command pay and personnel administrator to career counselor.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I like seeing what Sailors want to do with their careers because I’m helping people from E-1s to E-7s. It is interesting to see people's career intentions because it's cool to see where people are going to next duty station-wise, or what they want to do when they retire, or what their plans are when they get out – whether it has to do with education or another career path.

When you're not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

I do a lot of homework. I am currently taking two online classes: Intro to Law and Legal Systems and Introduction to Homeland Security. I also love interior designing, that is a hobby that I love to do. I could be on my laptop all day looking up interior design ideas and how I could change up my place. I’ve been looking up decorations that could go together with my furniture that is on its Have you learned anything new? way here. I watch a lot of the TLC shows like ‘Flip I’ve learned so much more about administration work instead of aviation, it is literally crazy. I did not think I would ever be on this side of the Navy. I have never been in Admin before so everything I have learned here is brand new to this House’ or ‘Home Improvement’ and I can watch those all day, every day. My favorite place to design is my room. At my previous duty station I designed my whole room myself and picked out everything and that was my comfort space.

What is something you want Team Souda to administrator to know about Air Operations?

Air Operations is the best Department on the base and we have great leadership and our Sailors rock.