Holloman Airman Becomes a D.A.R.E. Officer for Local Kids

A young Holloman Air Force Base Airman is getting ready to mentor local kids. Airman 1st Class Austin Yavorcik, a police services specialist with the 49th Security Forces Squadron, completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer training course on September 17, 2026. He plans to teach a 10 week D.A.R.E. program at Holloman's elementary and middle schools, mostly for fourth and fifth graders.

Who is the Holloman Airman teaching D.A.R.E.?

According to the 49th Wing Public Affairs story on holloman.af.mil, Yavorcik joined the Air Force at 24, after running a business with his brother. He credits that background with helping him get through the course and prepare to mentor kids.

He was recommended for the program by Master Sgt. Craig McBean, the 49th Security Forces Squadron inspection team chief. “His maturity showed the job means something to him beyond the normal set of duties,” McBean said.

What did the D.A.R.E. training involve?

Yavorcik trained in Ruidoso alongside 14 law enforcement officers from four regional agencies. The course covered responsible decision making, communication styles and stress management, with daily homework and on-the-spot teaching practice.

Detail	What to know
Airman	Airman 1st Class Austin Yavorcik, 49th Security Forces Squadron
Training finished	September 17, 2026, in Ruidoso
Classmates	14 officers from four regional agencies
Program	10 weeks, mostly for fourth and fifth graders
Where he will teach	Holloman's elementary and middle schools
Later	Available to help public schools across Otero County

Tim Madden, a retired Connecticut State Police captain and D.A.R.E. America facilitator, worked with him in the course. “He was invested in the program from day one,” Madden said.

Why focus on elementary school kids?

“The primary focus was on elementary school kids because that's really that foundational age where the mind is really malleable and it'll stick the most,” Yavorcik said.

He hopes to combine the lessons with his own life experience and his security forces training, to help students build confidence, make good decisions and learn skills they can carry into adulthood.

Will D.A.R.E. come to other Otero County schools?

The base says Yavorcik will start at Holloman's elementary and middle schools, and he will be available to help public schools across Otero County in the future. That is a nice example of how the base and our town look out for each other's kids.

What does this mean for families moving to Holloman?

If you are PCSing here with school age kids, stories like this say a lot about the community you are joining. Holloman Elementary and Holloman Middle School are part of Alamogordo Public Schools, and my post on PCSing to Holloman: Schools and Enrollment walks through how to enroll. You might also like my story on the free Holloman Baby Closet, and my Holloman AFB relocation guide covers housing and the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new D.A.R.E. officer at Holloman AFB?

Airman 1st Class Austin Yavorcik, a police services specialist with the 49th Security Forces Squadron. He completed D.A.R.E. officer training on September 17, 2026.

Where did the Holloman Airman train for D.A.R.E.?

He trained in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He took the course alongside 14 law enforcement officers from four regional agencies.

Which students will the D.A.R.E. program serve?

He plans a 10 week program at Holloman's elementary and middle schools. It focuses mainly on fourth and fifth graders.

What does D.A.R.E. teach kids?

The training covered responsible decision making, communication styles and stress management. The goal is to help kids build confidence and make informed choices.

Will D.A.R.E. be offered in other Otero County schools?

The base says he will be available to help public schools across Otero County in the future. Schools would work that out with Holloman.

Details are from the 49th Wing Public Affairs story published on holloman.af.mil on October 22, 2026, checked 23 October 2026.