FAMESTM | Finance, Arts, and STEM: Lt. Col. Tucker Hamilton shared his experiences and lessons as an Experimental Fighter Test Pilot for the US Air Force, with students attending FAMESTM Summer STEM Program at the Boys and 
Girls Club of Greater Washington (BGCGW). His message inspired everyone to make a difference. Using his own story as an example, he explained how as a young boy he was inspired by the television show Star Trek: The Next Generation to become an astronaut. That dream led him to join the US Air Force ROTC program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and to study Aerospace Engineering. After graduation and 8 years as a combat ready F-15C fighter pilot he was selected to attend United States Air Force Test Pilot School and become the experimental test pilot he is today. He showed the students his uniform and demonstrated the gear used for his 
flights. Hamilton talked about how various aircraft work, his current engineering work on the F-35, and showed videos of different aircrafts he has flown, including the F-15C, F-18, F-16, A-10, HU-16, MiG-15, UH-72, and 20 others! He cautioned that an aviator’s job comes with high risks and accidents do happen. The most captivating video documented his life threatening mid-air collision with another aircraft while flying a training mission in his F-15C over the Gulf of Mexico. He floated in dark, cold Gulf waters for two hours without his survival equipment before he was spotted and picked up by a small fishing boat. The lessons learned from accidents help Lt Col Hamilton educate other pilots on possible dangers and to contribute to the development of safety tests.
Lt. Col. Hamilton shared that although he had always thought about what he wanted to do with his life, it was those two hours in the Gulf waters that taught him to think more seriously 
about how he could use his passion for aerospace and STEM Education to make a difference. The students were surprised by his message that failure is not a bad thing, that there are many lessons to be learned by making mistakes, and that the important thing is to never give up on achieving your dreams. As another example of determination overcoming obstacles, Lt Col Hamilton told the story of his grandmother, Elizabeth Robinson, who was the first women’s 100 meter Olympics champion in 1928 when she was only 16 years old. It was only her third race. A few years later she suffered a severe leg injury in a plane crash. Nobody thought she would walk again, let alone run. But Ms. Robinson was determined to run in the next Olympics. Because her knees did not bend she could not run the 100 meter, but she did run the 4×100 meter relay and helped win gold for the US. Lt Col Hamilton volunteered his time for FAMES Summer STEM Program at BGCGW on July 27, 2016. Over 40 students from grades 6-9 and the summer camp student counselors attended the presentation. He asked the students if anyone is planning to join the military in the future. Several students responded yes and they asked questions about admission to service academies. As a result of FAMES summer program, the students are made aware of the service academies and benefits of joining them. Lt Col Hamilton is the third FAMES role model speaker to discuss the academies. Some of the students are really interested in joining the academies. At the end of the presentation, the students discussed how they can make a difference.
Lt Col Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton is an Experimental Fighter Test Pilot for the US Air Force. He supported multiple Red Flag Exercises and real world Operation Noble Eagle missions where he protected the President of the United States; at times escorting Air Force One. He served as the Chief Instructor for 200+ aircrew and as lead test pilot on 11 test programs for the 450+ F-15 fleet. He is the Developmental Test & Evaluation Lead for the Joint Strike Fighter, F-35. Cinco has received numerous accolades and awards, the most recent being his recognition by the US Junior Chamber as a Ten Outstanding Young American. Cinco chairs the AIAA K-12 STEM Committee. He has received AIAA NCS awards for his outstanding leadership. He is the founder and President of STEM-ED, a non-profit for STEM education, where he connects teachers to STEM volunteers for classroom support. Lt Col Hamilton received his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee and M.S. in Flight Test Engineering from the USAF Test Pilot School.
On June 22, 2016 FAMESTM launched its eight week long Summer STEM Program for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington DC. Professionals 
who are actively working in STEM-related fields are invited to act as role models by talking to the students about their career path their current work. These presentations expose the students to science and engineering beyond what their classroom education can provide. FAMESTM (www.famesusa.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and educating disadvantaged youth in Grades 4-12 in finance, arts, and STEM subjects, mainly during after school and summer programs. Through hands-on, computer-based and technology programs, our goal is to create a broader awareness in these areas, and inspire the curiosity that motivates students to want to know more. FAMES partners with schools, youth organizations, and sports clubs located in underprivileged areas, as well as other non-profits with complementary missions. By offering relevant and engaging programs, our ultimate goal is to increase opportunity for underprivileged youth so they grow up to be significant contributors to society.