Providing medical care in the air -...

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Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerilyn QuintanillaMembers of the 59th Medical Wing Acute Lung Rescue Team transport a patient inside the San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 15. The 59th MDW Acute Lung Rescue Team is comprised of medics with extensive training of aeromedical evacuation techniques. The team’s mission is to ensure patients are safely transported to a higher echelon of medical care. See page 9 for more photos

Providing medical care in the air

TALESPINNER November 4, 2016commentary

By Lt. Col. Michael Drost71st Operations Support Squadron commanderVance Air Force Base, Okla.

I frequently take anonymous questions from those in my squadron to encourage Airmen to be as open as possible with me. Not every Airman feels comfortable addressing the commander in person.

I always advertise and encourage feed-back. Sometimes my most honest queries come from unknown sources.

One such query was posed during a mentoring session with our squadron’s E-3s and E-4s when discussing promo-tions. “What do you say to people who don’t care or don’t want to promote?”

I assume the words in this question were carefully chosen. Even still, they can be interpreted several ways.

The question may indicate the person does not care about his work, or does not care about promotion. It might be from an ascending squadron leader who wants to help motivate a junior enlisted member.

The questioner may be a self-motivated individual trying their absolute best and in that personal pursuit of complete job knowledge they are not bothered if they are not recognized in the form of a promotion.

In my opinion, that is perfectly accept-able. I have confi dence in our leadership to promote people with strong work ethics who don’t necessarily see promotion as their main goal.

I have told many Airmen that I do not make decisions for the squadron based on how best I can position myself for promo-tion. I am proud of the rank I obtained and if I retire an O-5, I would not feel slighted. Promotion is not my motivation for completing a task to the best of my ability.

Another possibility is our anonymous Airman might not actually care about his work, is passing time until the current enlistment is up, doesn’t want the responsibilities of the next rank, or doesn’t want to put in the effort required to get promoted.

To this Airman I say, “This isn’t a job,

it’s a profession.”A job is a specifi c task with a defi ned

beginning and a defi ned end. A profes-sion is part of you — it helps defi ne who you are. It is personal and your unique individualism contributes to it.

As military professionals, we are given jobs to do on a daily basis. There are many tasks required to get the Wing mis-sion accomplished. But merely doing those tasks does not make you a professional and it does not give you a profession.

The Air Force is in the business of growing leaders in both our enlisted ranks and within our offi cer corps. If the Air Force was concerned merely about getting a particular task done, we would be sacrifi cing our future for the immedi-ate need of the present.

For example, in our Radar Approach Control, the task could be to get the most aircraft safely airborne and landed in a single day to meet timeline requirements. This requires a team of individuals, expertly trained, focused on a common objective, working in unison, executing a task for which they are uniquely qualifi ed to accomplish.

While important on the micro level, this task of meeting timeline requirements is not what the Air Force ultimately needs. Our Air Force ultimately needs Airmen who sign up to grow within the ranks.

Airmen not only do any task assigned, but also are the next Airmen in line to lead those under them. In this constant quest for leaders, we will pull from those who are technical experts in

their fi eld and improve their core competencies.

As importantly, we will develop their ability to lead the next generation of Airmen. When we promote individuals, it is partly based on their past performance. But it is largely based on their ability to succeed in the future.

I understand the need for individuals to complete tasks on a daily basis. What the Air Force needs you to do is to take that task and make it a part of who you are. Widen your aperture to more than just a particular task or job and prove yourself deserving of more responsibility.

To those merely wanting a job, the Air Force is not the right place. Sure, we will still require you to do the tasks assigned while you are employed, but we are in the business of making military professionals.

Those not wanting to promote must understand that they will be replaced by a new crop of eager Airmen who want more than a job.

I would hope that as I shake your hand when you leave the service, and thank you for time served, you understand that in the civilian world those with jobs are just as replaceable.

A job is a task and to an employer you are a means to an end. Once that job can be done more cheaply, quickly or precisely, you will be replaced.

A profession is more than a job. Make your military career a part of what defi nes you and you will achieve professional success.

This newspaper is published by EN Communities, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or EN Communities, of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Deadline for story submissionsis noon Wednesday the week prior

to publication.

Offi ce2230 Hughes Ave.JBSA-Lackland, Texas78236-5415(phone) 671-2908(fax) 671-2022Email: [email protected]

Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)

For advertising information:EN CommunitiesP.O. Box 2171 San Antonio, TX 78297250-2052

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland

Editorial Staff

BRIG. GEN. HEATHER PRINGLE

502ND AIR BASE WING/JBSACOMMANDER

TODD G. WHITE

502ND ABW/JBSAPUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

OSCAR BALLADARES

JBSA-LACKLAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF

ALAIN M. POLYNICE

COMMAND INFORMATION CHIEF

SENIOR AIRMAN LYNSIE NICHOLS

SENIOR AIRMAN KRYSTAL WRIGHT

PHOTOJOURNALISTS

JEREMY GERLACH JOSE T. GARZA III

STAFF WRITERS

DOROTHY LONAS PAGE DESIGN/ILLUSTRATOR

It’s not a job — it’s a profession“A job is a specifi c task with a defi ned beginning and a defi ned end. A profession is part of you - it helps defi ne who you are. It is personal and your unique individualism contributes to it.”

— Lt. Col. Michael Drost71st Operations Support Squadron commander

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday

November 4, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 3newsoperation home cooking phone lines are open

San Antonio area families can invite two Airmen/trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to enjoy a holiday meal through “Operation Home Cooking.” This program is designed for family participation, not for groups, to ensure everyone wanting to participate can do so.

Requests can be made from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays by calling call 671-5453, 671-5454 or 671-3701. Reservations are required to host Airmen/trainees. The phone lines will remain open until Nov. 23 or until all eligible Airmen/trainees have been requested, whichever occurs first. Anyone who calls after the total number of Airmen/trainees is reached may be placed on a waiting list.

Families within the San Antonio metro-politan area may invite two Airmen/trainees as a “general request.” To make a “by name request,” you must be an immediate family member and live in the San Antonio metro-politan area. Exceptions will be for Airmen in the 7th week of training.

Out-of-town relatives with trainees who are graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. Since trainees are not permit-ted to have personal transportation during training, hosts must pick up them up. “General requests” will be picked up at the Pfingston Reception Center, building 6330, while “by name requests” can be picked up from their respective squadrons on Thanksgiving Day between 7 and 11 a.m.

Due to heightened security measures, hosts without a current Department of Defense identification card are required to have a background check and visitor’s pass to enter the base. Hosts can pick up their visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24/7 and located off Military Drive, until Nov. 23.

All Airmen/trainees must be returned according to their designated return time, which is no later than 7 p.m.

jbsa uso grand opening

To celebrate the grand opening of the USO location at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, a picnic is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Sam Houston Community Center, building 1395 on Chaffee Road. Live entertainment will be provided by the 323rd Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own,” the USO Show Troupe and a disc jockey. There will also be a kid’s zone, bouncy castles, face

News in Brief

See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 18

By Jeremy GerlachJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

In the sands of Iraq, where hostile explosive devices lurk inches under the surface, every step an explosive ordi-nance disposal master craftsman takes could be their last.

In the fourth installment of the Airman Heritage Museum’ Enlisted Character Development series, retired Senior Master Sgt. Paul Horton told an audience of Airmen that EOD master craftsmen only have one question to ask themselves: “How many people can I save before I go? How much more can I give?”

Horton’s speech, held at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland Pfingston Reception Center Oct. 26, focused on the theme of “sacrifice.”

Horton recalled harrowing stories about near-death experiences in Iraq that he fought through to rescue count-less lives of American and coalition forc-es. The stories captivated an audience of more than 100 Airmen in attendance.

Billed as the “Indestructible Airman” in a 2011 Air Force recruiting campaign, Horton served on multiple military op-erations: Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He completed more than 1,500 combat missions, 65 Secret Service missions, 18 emergency re-sponses and destroyed more than 68,000 pounds of enemy explosives.

“Being an EOD tech first resonated with me because the job is to protect people,” Horton explained. “It’s like a chess game with the enemy.”

Horton, who retired from the Air Force in 2015, was awarded the Bronze Star with three devices, the Purple Heart with one device and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his ser-vice, among other honors.

For all his medals, Horton is able to sound off his scars just as quickly.

Horton sustained brain damage, severe bruising, cuts, an unhinged jaw and nerve dislocation, all from count-less brushes with explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

After each injury he sustained, Horton surprised his fellow Airmen by request-

ing to return to duty, returning to Iraq once and then Afghanistan twice after taking blows that temporarily knocked him out of the war.

“Sacrifice … means taking the mis-sions no one else would,” Horton said. “I felt the Air Force could put me in a no-win situation, and there was still a chance for me to get us out alive.”

Horton told the crowd he made a choice early on in his career not to start delegating the danger of diffusing road-side bombs to other technicians.

“As a senior master sergeant, I could have just sat at a desk, done paperwork and sent someone else out there into the field,” Horton explained. “But I be-longed out there, making those decisions myself.”

As Horton detailed the peaks and valleys of his EOD career, one mission in

January 2, 2006, stuck out to him as a turning point.

Horton’s EOD team was on a roll that day after successfully destroying a series of bombs planted at a small school with no loss of life. After months of danger-ous missions, lives lost that left the group “feeling jinxed and cursed,” saving the school seemed to be the breakthrough they’d been waiting for, Horton noted.

“That day, our team was knocking it out of the park,” Horton recalled. “We were stoked, it finally felt like victory – and on our way back, that’s when the Humvee in front of us got blown up.”

Horton’s two-vehicle convoy was un-der mortar attack and small arms fire from nearby insurgents tracking the team from behind. The explosion flipped

Ordnance disposal master craftsman sacrificed his safety to save lives

See CHARACTER Page 5

Photo by Sean WorrellRetired Senior Master Sgt. Paul Horton, prior explosive ordnance disposal specialist, spoke to Joint Base San Antonio members Oct. 26 at JBSA-Lackland Pfingston Reception Center as part of the fourth installment of the Airman Heritage Museum’ Enlisted Character Development series. Horton recalled near-death experiences in Iraq as he fought to rescue countless lives of American and coalition forces. He was awarded the Bronze Star with three devices, Purple Heart with one device and Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his service, among other honors.

TALESPINNER November 4, 2016

By David DeKunderJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

In observance of National American Indian Heritage Month, activities throughout November will be held at Joint Base San Antonio locations, in-cluding storytelling, cooking classes, essay, poster and art contests and tribal dancing.

The JBSA-Randolph National American Indian Heritage Month Committee is sponsoring an essay, art and poster contests and hosting sever-al events at the JBSA-Randolph Youth Center, while the U.S. Army North will hold an observance event for National American Indian Heritage Month at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.

Ed Blauvelt, JBSA-Randolph National American Indian Heritage Month Committee chairman, said the purpose of the activities is to teach children about the culture and customs of Native American youth.

“To teach the youth about Native American youth – the games they played,

the art they made, the food they ate, the music they listened to and how they lived,” Blauvelt said. “We are educating children to realize there is something else in this country; there are other cul-tures in this country; there’s different ways to look at things and different ways to live within the United States.”

Any high school or home school senior whose parent or legal guardian is em-ployed at JBSA-Randolph is eligible to enter an essay scholarship contest put on by the JBSA-Randolph National American Indian Heritage Month Committee. The essay entries, which must be between 1,000 to 2,000 words, will be based on this year’s theme, “Serving Our Nations.”

Blauvelt said the theme of “Serving Our Nations” ties into how American Indians are serving both the U.S. and their tribal nations. In the essays, one of the objectives students have to con-vey is how they have been serving their communities over the last four years and becoming leaders.

JBSA to host National American Indian Heritage Month events in November

See HERITAGE Page 12

November 4, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 5

the vehicle in front of Horton’s; trapping several Airmen inside and temporarily disrupting the team’s communications. Horton was facing seemingly impossible odds.

“If there was a button I could have pressed to just not be there – to save myself – I would have pressed it,” Horton said. “We were outnumbered, we were alone, and there was no one coming to save us.”

That’s when a strange thought kicked in, Horton continued.

“Get everyone out alive,” Horton thought. “And so we did.”

After setting up triage for the wounded, and unpinning an Airman from beneath the Humvee, Horton refused morphine to deal with a severe wound so he could remain intelligible enough to secure a radio and direct a medevac rescue operation to his team’s location.

Horton may have gotten everybody on

his team out alive that day, but he still doesn’t take credit for the rescue.

“I want to say it was me out there saving those people, but it was the job,” Horton explained. “My job, my uniform, it just took over. It wasn’t Paul Horton out there, it was an Airman saving those people. In those moments, when all you want to do is to not be in danger, duty takes over.”

That philosophy – uniform before self – helped guide Horton through countless other scrapes with death and danger. Instead of measuring his life and his career in terms of what he had accom-plished, Horton began measuring him-self based on how many lives he could save, regardless of his own safety.

Horton urged Airmen to take that message of sacrifice and selflessness to heart.

“Your value, your self-worth, it’s not what you have suffered, and it’s not what you have lost,” Horton said. “It’s what you still have left to give.”

CHARACTER from Page 3

JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE - 808-SARC (7272) • DOD SAFE HELPLINE - (877) 995-5247

• JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE - 367-1213 •JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN - 365-6420

JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response


Since 1970, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has organized Celebrate America’s Military, or CAM, an annual tribute to the military. The two-week celebration during the month of November features events pre-sented with community partners, making it the largest event of its kind nationwide.

The following events are open to the public:

uiW militarY appreciation Football game

Date/time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Location: Benson Stadium at

the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway

The University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals football team plays the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. UIW Athletics and Extended Academic Programs host a pre-game military appreciation tailgate. Free admission to the game for all active-duty military, veterans and Department of Defense employees with ID and their families. Parking is $8 per vehicle. First 500 fans will receive a military appreciation drawstring bag. Half-time events include enlistment ceremony and UIW and Army band performance. To contact the UIW Cardinal ticket offi ce, call 805-3000. Children 2 and up will need a full price ticket. For tickets, visit https://uiw.universitytickets.com.

humor For heroes

Date/time: Saturday, 7 p.m.Location: Texas A&M-

San Antonio Auditorium, One University Way

Humor for Heroes strives to demonstrate our appreciation to current and former military mem-bers by providing an entertaining night of comedy, fostering con-nections with military resources and contributing much needed fi nancial support to military chari-ties. This is a ticketed event and open to the public. Tickets are $15 each or two for $25.

utsa celebrates america’s militarY (DOWNTOWN CAMPUS)

Date/time: Wednesday, 3-6 p.m.Location: UTSA Downtown

Campus, 501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd.

Veterans resource Fair and speaking engagements. hiring red, White and You!

Date/time: Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall 2, 3201 E. Houston St.

Join the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions Alamo for the 4th Annual Hiring Red White and You Job Fair. This event is designed to connect employers seeking qualifi ed candidates with Texas veterans and their family members seeking employment.

utsa celebrates america’s militarY (MAIN CAMPUS)

Date/time: Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., veterans resource fair; 3 p.m., veterans study room dedi-cation; 4 p.m., Army and Air Force ROTC pass and review

Location: 1 UTSA Circle

Wish For our heroes ride teXas san antonio eVent

Date/time: Thursday, 2:30 p.m.Location: Toyota FieldJoin the San Antonio Spurs and

“Wish for Our Heroes” Riders for a welcome party to San Antonio and to be on site to see a few wishes granted to military heroes. Twenty-four riders and a convoy of support staff travel from Wichita Falls, Texas, to Corpus Christi, Texas, in the span of fi ve days, covering just over 500 miles. The event begins Nov. 7 and conclude Nov. 11. RIDE TEXAS began in 2011 and has successfully taken a unifi ed team across the state each year since. The event is led by wounded heroes and the pur-pose of the team is to assist our wounded heroes in completing this journey. Each day is fi lled with single day events such as meet and greets, parades, and dinners. These single day events are used to not only meet the community but to raise funds for our Military members and to grant wishes.

a&m uniVersitY-san antonio celebrate america’s militarY

Date/time: Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.Location: Patriots’ Casa,

Texas A&M-San Antonio, One University Way

Texas A&M University-San Antonio will honor service mem-bers with a fl ag raising along with a wreath-laying ceremony on Veterans Day at the Patriots’ Casa. This event is free and open to the public.

moment oF silence andnational roll call teXas a&m uniVersitY-san antonio

Date/time: Nov. 11, 9 a.m.Location: Patriots’ Casa,

Texas A&M-San Antonio,

One University WayTexas A&M University-San

Antonio will honor service mem-bers with a moment of silence and National Roll Call on Veterans Day at the Patriots’ Casa. This event is free and open to the public.

Fort sam houston national cemeterY Veterans daY ceremonY

Date/time: Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m.Location: Fort Sam Houston

National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road

Music prelude begins at 9:30 a.m. with ceremony at 10 a.m. Guest speaker is Allen B. Clark Jr., West Point graduate and Vietnam veteran.

beXar countY buFFalo soldiers commemoratiVe ceremonY

Date/time: Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m.Location: San Antonio National

Cemetery, 517 Paso Hondo St.Comprised of former slaves,

freedmen and Black Civil War veterans, the historic Buffalo Soldiers persevered through diffi -cult conditions to become some of the most elite and most decorated units in the U.S. Army. The annual Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Commemorative Ceremony at the San Antonio National Cemetery honors these past heroes with a keynote speaker, the reading of a memorial list, military honors and taps and a benediction.

Speaker is Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander,

Navy Medicine Education and Training Command.

san antonio spurs Veterans appreciation night

Date/time: Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.Location: AT&T Center,

One AT&T Center ParkwayThe San Antonio Spurs host

the Detroit Pistons with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. All military and friends of CAM can access this special offer by going to http://spursgroups.com/2016veteransday and using the OFFER CODE: MILITARY. Tickets purchased through this offer will receive a special military-themed T-shirt at the game. Instructions on where to pick up T-shirt will be emailed to the address provided at the checkout 48 hours prior to the game. Children 24 months and younger get in free.

u.s. militarY Veterans parade and Wreath laYing at the alamo

Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. wreath laying, parade at noon

Location: Alamo PlazaThe U.S. Military Veterans

Parade Association presents the annual Veterans Parade in down-town San Antonio, during the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate America’s Military Week. Representatives from each branch of the military services and special guests speak briefl y then carry wreaths to the entrance of the Alamo in recognition of the

nation’s and Texas veterans. Line the downtown streets and wave your American fl ag and show your pride as veterans past and pres-ent are honored. For more parade information, visit http://www.usmvpa.com/index-PARADE_DATE.html. Honorary parade marshall is World War II Navy veteran Susano Ortiz and grand marshalls are District 26 Sen. Jose Menendez and District 19 Sen. Carlos Uresti.

armY West point tailgate partY

Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Alamo Beer Company, 202 Lamar St.

Pricing: Tailgate, free; barbecue plate and iced tea, $10; souvenir beer glass (beer discounted with purchase), $10; parking, $10; shuttle bus to/from game (one mile from tailgate to stadium), $6. Kids’ activities include free Fun Zone. For stadium game tickets, contact Army West Point at 845-938-2526. For more informa-tion and tailgate registration, visit https://secure.west-point.org/wpsst/armytailgate. For informa-tion regarding tailgate registra-tion, email [email protected].

segs4Vets mobiliZing america’s heroes 5k run/Walk

Date/time: Nov. 13; registration, 7:30-8:30 a.m.; event, 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Freetail Tap Room, 2000 S. Presa St.

Segs4Vets (http://www.Segs4Vets.org) provides mobil-ity devices to military members severely injured while serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Segs4Vets started in 2005 and has since awarded over 1,400 mobility devices to men and women who have served our country. This event will feature a 5K run/walk beginning at the Freetail Tap Room, with an awards ceremony and door prizes afterwards. For more information, email at [email protected] or call 913-2563.

san antonio rampage militarY FamilY night

Date/time: Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.Location: AT&T Center,

One AT&T Center ParkwayThe San Antonio Rampage

hockey team hosts the Charlotte Checkers with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. All military and friends of CAM can access this special discounted ticket offer by

going visiting http://spursgroups.com/novemberhockey and using the offer code MILITARY. Children 24 months and younger get in free.

the stars behind the stripesDate/time: Nov. 19, 6 p.m.Location: La Fontana Springs,

27618 Natural Bridge Caverns Road

A night of wining and dining presented by Association of the United States Army, myKlick and friends. This special dinner is to honor the spouses and signifi cant others who support the members of the armed forces. Visit myklick.city/myklick-10000strong-event-stars-behind-the-stripes/ for more information.

2016SOME BUSINESSES

OFF LIMITSThere are a handful of

businesses in the local area that are off-limits to armed forces members without exception. According to a 502nd Air Base Wing memo-randum dated June 1, all 502nd ABW and Joint Base San Antonio military members are forbidden to enter any establishments named Cracker Box Palace, Planet K, Players Club of San Antonio, MJM Autohaus or VIP Spa. This also includes all locations in Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. These businesses are areas where suspicious activity has been reported that is perceived as damag-ing to the military mission.

The JBSA Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board meets quarterly to ensure safety and security is a top military priority. The estab-lishment of off-limits areas is a function of command used to help maintain good order and discipline, health, morale, safety, and welfare of personnel assigned and/or located at JBSA and/or in the Greater San Antonio.

Members will soon see briefi ngs on this informa-tion at newcomer orientation meetings, commanders’ calls and unit bulletin boards. For details, call 652-5727.


By Kat BaileyAir Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

An Air Force selection board has chosen 334 officers for advanced academic degree and career broadening opportunities.

As part of the force development con-struct, Advanced Academic Degree, or AAD, and Special Experience Exchange Duty, or SPEED, programs provide targeted developmental education and broadening developmental assignments for officers in eligible career fields.

“This is a highly competitive selection process,” said Capt. Melanie Huffman, an Air Force Personnel Center assign-ments officer. “Selection for one of these developmental education slots is an important step in an officer’s career.”

According to Huffman, development team special program selections are some of the earliest opportunities for officers to begin building a complemen-tary skillset through advanced academic degree or career broadening programs.

“These two programs help us delib-erately develop Airmen by focusing on the right education, training and experi-ence at the right time in their careers,” Huffman said.

These career broadening opportu-nities are available through AAD pro-grams such as the Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT Faculty pipeline, U.S. Air Force Academy Faculty pipeline and National Reconnaissance Office.

SPEED programs include the Acquisition and Intelligence Experience Exchange Tour, Acquisition and Logistics Experience Exchange Tour, Comptroller Operation Logistics Tour, Education with Industry, U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School and more.

Candidate lists have posted to myPers. To view the list, select “Active Duty Officer” from the dropdown menu and search “AAD” or “SPEED.”

For information, go to http://www.myPers.mil. Individuals can request a myPers account by following instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil/myPERS/.

AF releases advanced degree and career broadening results


By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Nine Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron toured the C-5M Super Galaxy and the Air Force Reserve C-5M School House at the 733rd Training Squadron, Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

During the tour, the Airmen vis-ited the aircraft on the flight line and learned about its updates and modi-fications as well as the capabilities of the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. They also heard from the aircraft’s pilots, loadmasters and flight engineers in order to better understand the wing’s flying mission and how their support is crucial.

“It is important that our junior Airmen understand what they do is crucial to the fight,” said Chief Master Sgt. Omar Hardman, Air Education and Training Command health services man-ager. “We (leadership) wanted to make sure that they understand how they af-fect every single mission that flies out of Lackland.”

The tour concluded at the school house where the Airmen learned about the capabilities of the flight simulator, how the ramp and door trainer is used, and the intricacies of the air refueling part task trainer where pilots learn how to maneuver their aircraft to accept fuel in-flight.

Seeing how his job supporting patient movements comes to life on the C-5M was especially impactful to one Airman.

“Seeing the mission and the aircraft that are being utilized, it takes what we do and gives me perspective,” said Airman 1st Class Troy Brown, medical administrator with the 59th Medical Support Squadron.

Capt. Bilal Rizvi, a medical services officer with the 59th MDSS, said he was glad that the Airmen were afforded the opportunity to visit the 433rd Airlift Wing.

“Being in the hospital, we don’t get to see the operational side of the Air Force,” he said. “It’s very important for our young Airmen to see how the medi-cal mission supports the Air Force and to see the aircraft on base like the C-5.”

Lackland medics visit C-5M, school house

Photo by Benjamin FaskeAirmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron climb into a C-5M Super Galaxy air-craft Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. In addition to boarding the Air Force’s largest aircraft, the Airmen toured the formal training unit for all C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew training.


MEDICS PROVIDE CONSISTENT CARE IN THE AIR, ON THE GROUND

Photos by Staff Sgt. Jerilyn QuintanillaMembers of the 59th Medical Wing En-Route Patient Staging System, emergency medical services and Acute Lung Rescue Team transport a patient from a C-130J Super Hercules to an ambulance at the Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 15. The teams each played an integral part in safely moving the patient, a Navy Sailor, from the Navy Medical Center in San Diego to the San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, for care.

Maj. JK House, 959th Medical Group clinical nurse, tends to a patient onboard an ambulance at Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 15. House is part of the 59th Medical Wing Acute Lung Rescue Team, which is comprised of medics with extensive training of aeromedical evacuation techniques.

FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN ANTONIO:

November 4, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 11PAGE 10 TALESPINNER November 4, 2016

By Jeremy GerlachJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

Across Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, commanders are constantly looking for the next generation of Air Force leaders to fill developmen-tal special duty, or DSD, assignments.

Developmental special duties are unique Air Force leadership roles that augment an Airman’s regular career. Airmen can voluntarily apply for these jobs, yet most are recommended by their supervisors through a biannual nomination process after demonstrating exceptional leadership quali-ties. Airmen can spend up to four years in a DSD role.

As Chief Master Sgt. Ezekiel Ross, 37th Training Group superintendent, puts it, these are valuable leadership positions for the Air Force that might push Airmen out of their comfort zones, but shape the entire branch.

“We want high performers,” Ross noted. “People who are taking on new DSD roles might be ap-prehensive about the new duties at first, but these Airmen end up doing what they’ve always done – performing at a high level.”

The Air Force is emphasizing 10 DSDs in the 2016-2017 application cycles: technical training instructor, career assistance advisor, military train-ing instructor, military training leader, U.S. Air Force Academy military trainer, Airman & Family Readiness Center NCO, first sergeant, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member, recruiter and profes-sional military education instructor.

Military training instructors are one of the biggest focuses for the upcoming DSD cycle, said Master Sgt. Breezy Hughes, 737th Training Support Squadron MTI supervisor.

“This job is the number one job in the Air Force – we can’t have an Air Force without MTIs,” Hughes noted. “We need dedicated people with top-notch mentorship and counseling skills.”

While most DSDs ask Airmen to step outside their comfort zones, some Airmen assigned as MTIs can be particularly nervous before they start, Hughes continued.

“A lot of people don’t think they have what it takes,” she explained. “But once they’ve been here, we see them push their first flight down the bomb run – they’re just smiling, seeing the impact they’ve made.”

In addition to MTIs, the following are require-ments for these DSDs:

• Career assistance advisor must be able to speak clearly, communicate well with others, and have superb counseling and briefing skills.

• Military training leader, similar to MTI, must demonstrate strong leadership abilities, while also

being able to connect and empathize with the prob-lems of young Airmen away from home in a new environment.

• U.S. Air Force Academy military trainer must be an effective communicator, leader, and should be able to inspire young cadets through their mili-tary bearing and professional military image.

• Airman & Family Readiness Center NCO needs to be prepared for a worldwide deployment and be a proactive communicator.

• First sergeant must be able to understand, empathize and assist Airmen in their unit with per-sonal, marital and family-related problems.

• U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member, in or-der to maintain a cutting edge, performance-grade level of appearance and physical execution, must demonstrate a clean bill of health with regards to back, knee and nervous disorders, and must have a minimum height of 5 feet 10 inches for males and 5 feet 6 inches for females.

• Air Force recruiter must be enthusiastic, self-driven individuals who serve as ambassador for the Air Force to future generations of Airmen.

• Professional military education instructor and curriculum development course writer must dem-onstrate an ability to write, speak, and organize educational material effectively, as well as a skill for engaging with students directly.

In order to be nominated for these DSD position, an Airman must meet several criteria:

1. Staff, technical and master sergeants must ob-tain required retainability through the end of each applicable DSD cycle. For example: master ser-geants must have less than 20 years total ac-tive federal military service date, or TAFMSD, by the last month of their DSD cycle, with technical sergeants at less than 16 years TAFMSD and staff sergeants at less than 11 years TAFMSD.

2. Airman cannot have an upcoming assignment on file, though exceptions due to Home Basing and Follow On assignments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

3. Airman must demonstrate a skill level equiva-lent to the demands of the DSD position.

4. Airman’s overall performance assessment rating must indicate either “Exceeded most, if not all expectations,” or “Exceeded some, but not all expectations.”

5. Airman must score above 80 on their previ-ous two fitness tests, or above 90 on his/her most recent test. Airman also cannot have failed any portion of the test in the 12 months prior to the application period.

6. Airman must have no record of disciplinary action that resulted in an Article 15 or Unfavorable Information File during the past three years, and cannot have a conviction court martial.

Developmental special duties can boost an Airman’s career

While DSD requirements might seem tough, the selective application process ensures the Air Force finds the best candidates for these crucial duties, Ross explained.

“This is a competitive environment,” Ross said. “So Airmen that were big fish in a little pond prior to taking on a DSD, they can expect to now be among the rest of the standouts.”

Having a service record with a DSD is a definite plus for any Airman in the promotion process, and it’s a neces-sity for master sergeants looking to become chief master sergeants, Hughes said.

“If you’ve performed a DSD and completed it in an hon-orable way, that means leadership has recommended you at some point,” Hughes explained. “It also demonstrates you were able to step outside of your career field and excel at a new skill. That can be the difference when someone is comparing you to another promotion candidate.”

Ross agreed.“Take an individual who was a vehicle mechanic, but

it now being transformed into an MTI,” Ross explained.

“They might be going from a very small team to lead-ing fifty people. That’s leadership development – that’s an Airman learning things about their leadership capabilities they never knew before, and they wouldn’t have known without taking on a DSD.”

That demonstration can make all the difference to a commander considering applications for a promotion, Ross added.

“Having a DSD on your record can catapult your career past your peers,” he said.

While DSD roles can serve as a boon for individual careers, putting good leaders in each role also benefits an entire crop of rising Airmen, Ross explained.

“Because of the emphasis we’ve placed on DSDs, we’re starting to see some of the ‘fruits of our labor’ with these positions,” Ross said. “We now have some of the best MTIs and instructors that we’ve ever seen – the talent is just amazing. In turn, this means we’re producing better recruits, better trainees and better students. The end re-sult is a stronger, more capable Air Force.”

Photos by Johnny Saldivar The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team per-forms during the Basic Military Training Coin and Retreat Ceremony April 14 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Pfingston Reception Center. The drill team is the traveling component of the honor guard and they promote the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen. The men and women of the Air Force Honor Guard repre-sent every member, both past and present, of the Air Force.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael EllisSenior Master Sgt. Jose Diaz, the 59th Medical Wing career assistance advisor, briefs Airman 1st Class Felipe Morais, 59th MDW personnel specialist, on retraining opportunities Sept. 22 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Diaz advises Airmen on a wide array of subjects such as military benefits and entitlements, retraining, special duty assignments and professional development.

Photo by Johnny SaldivarTech. Sgt. Jarmaine Thomas, 331st Training Squadron military training instructor, demonstrates basic marching moves to a flight of Airmen during their first day of basic military training March 20, 2015, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Stormy ArcherSenior Airman Adam Fiddler and a fellow Joint Base San Antonio Honor Guard member fold an American Flag dur-ing a funeral ceremony Oct. 10, 2015 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The Honor Guard’s primary mis-sion is to pay respect to fallen service members and support ceremonial functions.


By Ashley PalaciosJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

Adjusting to military life can be a daunting and overwhelming process, especially for military spouses.

Heart Link seeks to ease this transition by introducing and ex-plaining many aspects of military life to spouses.

According to the Air Force Aid Society, which funds the Heart Link program, the objective of Heart Link is to strengthen mili-tary families and enhance mis-sion readiness. Understanding that spouses play an important role in re-enlistment decisions, which ultimately impact retention rates, a major program goal is to help spouses, especially those who have been with the Air Force fi ve years or less, acclimate to the Air Force environment.

The Heart Link program in-cludes orientation activities con-sisting of presentations from base agencies, interactive games and exercises that should, by the end of the day, leave spouses feel-ing they are an important and respected part of the Air Force team. A program highlight is a visit from the wing commander

who presents a coin to each spouse for completing the program.

Heart Link is important be-cause it normalizes the Air Force lifestyle for new spouses said Brandy Wright, Military & Family Readiness Center com-munity readiness consultant.

“Heart Link is a very special opportunity for spouses to learn so much about the Air Force,” Wright said. “I have been a mili-tary spouse for 14 years, and I still learned quite a few things when I went through Heart Link.

“It’s a chance for spouses to meet and interact with other spouses, learn about fi nance, protocol, Air Force acronyms and other do’s and don’ts of the Air Force,” Wright continued. “We even teach them basic mili-tary protocol and the right attire for various Air Force events they may attend.”

Criselda Smith, Military & Family Readiness Center commu-nity readiness consultant, noted the impact of the military spouse.

“If you look at the Heart Link logo you’ll see a heart at the cen-ter,” said Smith. “In same way, the military spouse is the heart of the Air Force. They have a huge impact on their spouse’s career.”

Currently, only 19 percent of service members stay till re-tirement. A major factor in the decision to separate from the Air Force is typically the family.

“Often times, the military life-style of frequent moving and leaving family and friends can make spouses feel lonely or de-pressed, but the Air Force wants them to know how much they are valued,” Smith said. “They’re part of a bigger family now and this is their welcome home.”

Air Force spouses interest-ed in attending the Wednesday event at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph can call 652-5321. Air Force spouses interested in attending the Jan. 18, 2017, event at JBSA-Lackland can call 671-3722. Air Force spouses as-signed to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston can attend at either of the afore-mentioned locations.

JBSA encourages spouses to get connected through Heart Link

Essay entries are due by Monday at 4 p.m. For entry information, call Blauvelt at 652-8529.

The student of the winning entry will be awarded a $1,000 scholar-ship, which will be presented to the winner and their family during a presentation at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Taj Mahal, building 100 on JBSA-Randolph.

Other events at JBSA-Randolph, which will be held at the JBSA-Randolph Youth Center unless noted, include:

• Today – American Indian Heritage Month poster contest for children ages 8-9, 8 a.m.

• Monday – High school art con-test. Entries include art submis-sions from students at Randolph High School and Randolph MiddleSchool. Judges will pick the top three entries, which will be awarded certifi cates.

• Tuesday – American Indian cooking class, 4 p.m.

• Wednesday – American Indian story telling at the JBSA-Randolph Base Library, 9 a.m. Children of JBSA parents, including home schoolers, are invited to hear sto-ries from American Indian culture.

• Thursday and Nov. 17 – American Indian art class, 4 p.m. The class is for children in the before and after-school programs at the youth center. Last year, youth who took part in the class made art of Native American houses, wigwams, teepees and pueblos.

• Nov. 21 – Corn husk doll mak-ing class, 4 p.m.

Blauvelt said one of his favor-ite activities of National American Indian Heritage Month is telling stories of Native American culture to children.

“They love listening to the fl ute playing, and they love listening to the stories,” he said. “(The stories)

teach a moral to a child on how to obey nature and adults and what happens if you don’t – the conse-quences of failed behavior – and how to respect nature and obey your parents.”

On Nov. 18, U.S. Army North will host the National American Indian Heritage Observance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle. Activities includes storytelling, food sam-pling and performances from tribal dancers.

As of 2014, there were 5.4 mil-lion American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the U.S., consisting 2 percent of the country’s popula-tion. Currently, 26,995 American Indians are serving in the military, making up 1.2 percent of the armed forces’ population.

According to the Department of Defense, there were 140,556 American Indian veterans as of 2014.

HERITAGE from Page 4

Courtesy graphic


By Philip Carter21st Space Wing Public Affairs, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Ever since the beginning of the Internet, individuals have become more connected than ever before in all aspects of life. Because of all the threats out there, being aware of cyber security is the responsibility of everyone.

Cyber security awareness Month is designed to remind people, including Team Pete, to al-ways be vigilant in protecting against threats, such as malware, spyware, ransomware, viruses, worms and Trojan horses.

According to the April 2015 Department of Defense Cyber Strategy, the director of National Intelligence named the cyber threat as the num-ber one strategic threat to the United States from 2013-2015. This placed it ahead of terrorism for the first time since the attacks of Sept. 11.

“Airmen need to always do their due diligence to ensure security practices are adhered to and have a secure awareness at all times when they are working,” said Master Sgt. Matthew Mullen, 21st Communications Squadron chief of cyber surety.

Cybersecurity liaisons assist the wing cybersecu-rity office in meeting their duties and responsibili-ties, which includes helping with any cybersecurity tasks that happen within their unit. So if there is a

security incident where classified material gets onto an unclassified system they’re the point of contact to help clean it up.

The training encompasses computer security train-ing and as well as Tempest.

“Tempest is a mission security,” Mullen said. “It monitors emanations coming off of electronic devic-es and making sure that there’s proper separation between classified and unclassified lines and systems, to make sure there is no bleed over on electronic emissions,”

“It is possible to have emissions from actual data crossover when you have lines physically crossing over each other or if you have wireless devices that are too close to classified information,” Mullen said. “They can pick up on these electronic signals coming off of the classified systems. It’s possible for people to use devices, to read these bits of information that escape.

“This is the time to make sure that people are doing their individual efforts to secure classified information at work and at home,” Mullen said.

Below are some cyber tips to help anywhere. • Create strong passwords: Include numbers,

symbols, capital and lower-case letters.• Never leave electronic devices unattended,

always lock devices with a passcode no matter how long it will be unattended.

• Always keep software updated, especially anti-virus software.

• Don’t open links found in e-mails unless it’s from someone you know, and never if it’s from a bank, the IRS, or similar institutions. If you think it might be valid contact them directly.

All Airmen are the last line of defense when it comes to safeguarding classified materials. If it’s not taken seriously, Mullen said “We run the risk of having our advisories getting a hold of our classified information and exploit it and use it against us.”

Cyber security is the responsibility of all Airmen

Graphic by Philip Carter

TALESPINNER November 4, 2016 community

Air Force Aid Society 671-3722Airman & Family Readiness Center 671-3722Airman’s Attic 671-1780American Red Cross 844-4225Base Post Offi ce 671-1058Bowling Center 671-2271DEERS 800-538-9552Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722Family Child Care 671-3376Legal Offi ce 671-3362Library 671-3610Medical Appointment Line 916-9900MPF ID Cards 671-6006Outdoor Recreation 925-5532TRICARE Info 800-444-5445Thrift Shop 671-3608

Lackland Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandsc.orgForce Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.comLackland ISD http://www.lacklandisd.netOffi cers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.orgJBSA Public website http://www.jbsa.milMy Air Force Life http://www.MyAirForceLife.com

JBSA-LACKLAND KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES—PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES

Freedom Chapel – Building 1528Contemporary Service Sun 9:30 a.m.

Religious Education Sun 11 a.m.

Gospel Service Sun 12:30 p.m.

Youth Ministry Mon 6 p.m.

—LITURGICAL SERVICEAirman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sun 9:45 a.m

Religious Education Sun 10:45 a.m.

—CHURCH OF CHRISTPfi ngston – Building 6300 Sun 7:30 a.m. (Room 175)

—SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTGateway Chapel – Building 6300 Sat 12:30 p.m.

—CHRISTIAN SCIENCEPfi ngston – Building 6300 Sun 7:30 a.m. (Room 113)

—ORTHODOX CHRISTIANAirmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Sun 8 a.m.

—PENTECOSTAL Religious Education Building – 6300 Sun 8 & 9:30 a.m. (Room. 112)

—WICCAPfi ngston – Building 6330 Sun 9 – 11 a.m. (Auditorium)

Freedom Chapel – Building 1528Open Circle 1st Tue 6 – 7 p.m.

—REFUGE STUDENT CENTERBuilding 9122 (Tech. Training & TDY Students) Wed 6 – 8 p.m.

Thu 6 – 8 p.m.

Fri 6 – 11 p.m.

Sat 12 – 9 p.m.

Sun 11 – 5 p.m.

—JEWISHAirmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432Sabbath & Kiddush Fri 4:30 p.m.

Religious Education Sun 1:30 p.m.

—ROMAN CATHOLICFreedom Chapel – Building 1528Religious Education Sun 9 a.m.

Adult Religious Education Sun 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.

Youth Ministry Sun 4 p.m.

Reconciliation Sat 4 – 4:45 p.m.

Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment

—ISLAMICGlobal Ministry Center – Building 7452Jumu'ah Prayer Fri 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

—BUDDHISTPfi ngston – Building 6330 Sun 10:45 a.m. (Room 175)

—HINDU WORSHIP Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sat 2 – 4 p.m. (Room 13)

—ECKANKAR Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sat 12:30 p.m.

—BAHA'IGateway Chapel – Building 6300 1st, 3rd and 5th Sun 11 a.m.

—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTSGateway Chapel – Building 6300Religious Education Tue 6:30 p.m.

LDS Service Sun 1 p.m.

—LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNODGateway Chapel – Building 6300 Every third Sun 3:30 p.m.

CHAPEL SERVICES

For more details, contact Freedom Chapel at 671-4208 or Gateway Chapel at 671-2911

NOV. 9 credit building

Review what makes up a credit score and identify simple steps to strengthen it. The Air Force Federal Credit Union will facilitate this workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, building 4600. Call 671-3722.

emploYment Workshop Attendees to the employment

workshop can review the federal employment process, resume writ-ing techniques, interviewing skills and how to dress for success. This workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and Nov. 9 at the Military & Family Readiness Center, building 1249. Participants need to bring a copy of their current resume. To register, call 671-3722.

NOV. 10 airman heritage museum 60th anniVersarY

Joint Base San Antonio will be celebrating the Airman Heritage Museum’s 60th anniversary at

12:30 p.m. This museum was the very fi rst fi eld museum designated and opened by the U.S. Air Force. Call 671-3972.

NOV. 17role reVersal: caring For those Who cared For You

Learn about available resources to help with care for an aging par-ent, both long distance or locally. Representatives from the Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar Area Agency on Aging, and Military & Family Readiness Center will provide information and tools to help make informed choices on information on humanitarian reassignments, secondary dependency, cyber care-giving options, stress management, TRICARE For Life, and more. This workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, building 4600. Call 292-3543.

eFmp support group: the teXas able program

The Exceptional Family Member Support Group’s November meeting’s guest speakers Linda Fernandez, Educational Opportunities and Investments Division of the Texas Comptrollers director, and Tim

Plachta, Founder or Reliant Wealth Management, will discuss the Texas Achieving 2 Better Life Experience Program and how families can save funds for the purpose of supporting an individual with disabilities to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. It will be noon to 1:30 p.m. at Children Achieving Maximum Potential, or CAMP facility, building 3850. For more information, call 672-3722.

NOV. 18peer-to-peer support group

Caregivers have the opportunity to build a support network, share experiences and information. This group meets 9-11 a.m. at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center’s Airman Medical Transition Unit conference room, fi fth fl oor, building 4600. Call 557-2018.

NOV. 19the spaZmatics: nerds that rock

The new wave 80s band, the Spazmatics, perform a free concert 7:30–10:30 p.m. at the Joint Base San Antonio Amphitheater. DJ OMG Sounds will be spinning tunes between their sets. There will be food and beverages available for

purchase. Attendees are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and dance the night away. For more de-tails, call JBSA Community Programs at 652-5763.

NOV. 22create an eFFectiVe resume

Attendees to this workshop will review key elements of a resume and how to effectively write a career objective and a descriptive accom-plishment statement. Patrons should bring a copy of their most recent resume. It will be 2-4 p.m. at the Military & Family Readiness Center, building 1249. Call 671-3722.

NOV. 28car seat 101

Attendees to this workshop can learn which car seat is best for their child and the best practice for car seat safety. At the end of the class, each family will receive a certifi cate of completion, which grants a free infant/toddler seat. The New Parent Support Group will be hosting this class 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, room 9d09, located on the ninth fl oor. The class is by appointment only and is for military members

and their spouses. To register, call 292-5967.

INFORMATIONALregistration is open For thanksgiVing Week camp

Youth Programs can keep kids safe and entertained 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21-24. Registration is open until Nov. 7. The cost varies by household income and School Age Care School Year paperwork must be completed and on fi le prior to registration. Call 671-2388.

FestiVe giant holidaY card contest

Units can win up to $500 in Community Center Club Bucks in the best giant holiday card competition in December. Cards are displayed throughout the holiday season in front of the Gateway Club. The competition is open to all Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland units. Club bucks can be used for unit functions taking place at the club. If there are less than 10 submissions for the contest, one winner will be chosen. If more than 10 cards are submitted, a fi rst and second-place winner will be chosen. The submission deadline is in December. For more information, call 671-2619.

LOCAL BRIEFS


JBSA medical facilities turn attention to diabetes in NovemberBy Robert GoetzJBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States, affecting some 29 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Another 86 million people in the U.S. are at risk for diabetes, which is associated with long-term problems such as kidney disease, neuropathy or foot complica-tions, eye problems, skin complications, delayed gastric emptying and mental and emotional problems.

However, diabetes – defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy – is both controllable and preventable.

Joint Base San Antonio medical facilities, which take a proactive approach to diabetes throughout the year, are especially focused on the disease during American Diabetes Month in November.

The Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center’s Diabetes Center of Excellence at JBSA-Lackland is partnering with the 59th Medical Operations Group disease management nurses to offer a diabetes health fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the WHASC Atrium. A highlight of the event is a presentation by retired New Orleans Saints defensive end Melvin Williams who will speak on health and wellness.

At the JBSA-Randolph Medical Clinic, posters

and educational ma-terials are on display throughout the month in the family health clinic waiting room.

Type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, is the most common type of diabetes, account-ing for more than 90 percent of cases, said Lt. Col. Anita Chapel, 359th Medical Operations Squadron family nurse practitioner. Type 1 diabetes, which affects just 5 percent of diabetics, requires insulin injections because the pancreas does not make insulin or makes too little to move the glucose in the body’s cells.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, dry skin and slow healing of cuts and wounds.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, a family history of diabetes and ethnicity, but the disease is also associated with obesity and poor exercise habits.

“We cannot change our genetics or ethnicity, but we can adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Chapel said. “Being overweight increases your risk for developing type 2

diabetes, so maintaining a normal weight will reduce your risk.

“In addition, a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain,” she said. “A diet low in sugary foods, salty foods and high-fat foods is recom-mended, as is eating the recommended portions in each food group.”

Aerobic exercise plays a key role in preventing type 2 diabetes because it helps the body use insulin better, improves blood circulation and reduces risk for heart disease by lowering blood glucose and blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, Chapel said.

Maj. Wanda Clemons, 59th MDOG Diabetes Center of Excellence nurse manager, emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle in managing type 2 diabetes.

“Medication alone cannot overcome the results of a poor diet and lack of exercise,” she said. “Many in the diabetic field are fond of saying, ‘Well-controlled diabetes or controlled blood sugars is the cause of nothing.’ The risk of complication is related to overall glucose control.”

Healthy eating and exercising, along with following the prescribed medication treatment plan outlined by the provider, are the best ways for people to manage their type 2 diabetes symptoms, Clemons said.

“It’s also important to check your blood sugars consistently and being aware of high and low blood sugars,” she said.


502nd Civil Engineer Squadron member coaches all-girls team in marksmanshipBy Jeremy GerlachJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

Even though Gunnery Sgt. James Graham Jr. retired from the Marines back in 2008, you can still hear him barking orders – this time to a group of all-female sharpshooters on his off-duty time in Bulverde, Texas.

Graham, a civil engineer with the 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron from Joint Base San Antonio -Camp Bullis, coaches Team McMillan, a four-person shooting squad fresh off a strong performance back in September at the National Rifle Association F-Class National Championships in Lodi, Wis.

Graham was a longtime civilian marksmanship mentor and junior coach at Camp Perry in Ohio before moving to Texas. As a young Marine, he won distinguished Marine Corps rifleman status – shoot-ing 98 percent or better on his marksmanship exami-nations – and won a national shooting championship with his Marine Corps team. Now, coaching Team McMillan gives him a chance to stay sharp out on the range.

Team McMillan isn’t your typical bunch of shooters, and the former Marine isn’t your typical coach, Graham explained.

“All four members are teenage girls,” Graham said. “They don’t crack under pressure and they’re coachable.”

Coaching Team McMillan was a natural fit for Graham. He would take his daughters, Makenna and Lynzie, to shooting ranges and hunting trips early in their lives. Graham assembled the team after finding out that niece, Janna Voges, and family friend, Bailey Bass, the other half of Team McMillan, also had a keen eye for shooting.

The team spends hours practicing at a 300-yard shooting range in Graham’s front yard in Bulverde, just north of San Antonio.

“I’m a retired, old shooter, so being out there on the line – hearing the wind, seeing the water ripple near your target – keeps me on top of my game,” Graham said.

“I spent all my life as a grunt pulling triggers for the Marine Corps, then being an instructor for the Marines, so laying down a scope and teaching these girls to ‘call wind’ was just my niche,” Graham added.

Despite the generational gap, the group responds well to his gruff, Marine-style motivation.

“It’s a balance between tough love and encourage-ment,” he noted. “But what’s funny is that with Janna

and Bailey – at first they weren’t used to the coach-ing. But Lynzie and Makenna, they’ve been around that their whole life, and they’re not afraid to stand up and put me in my place.”

That usually occurs when Graham makes the two younger Grahams start singing cadence.

“They get embarrassed about that,” Graham laughed. “But they all have a military mindset now.”

Above all things, Graham preaches consistency and attention to detail in a sport where fractions of a centimeter can make all the difference.

“With shooting, you’re constantly going through the motions, making sure you call the shot, set up properly, and perform the same way each time you head out to the range,” Graham said. “When you focus on setting up, walking through your process, you don’t waste time worrying … or getting nervous.”

While the sight of an all-girls team might be an unusual one at many competitions, Graham noted the girls are taking on larger roles in both NRA sports and in combat roles in the military.

“Some of our hardest military shooters are females,” Graham explained.

If anything, Graham continued, his all-girls team has a distinct advantage:

“We’re never nervous,” he chuckled. “The girls are talking, having fun – they’re not worried about whether they’re going to miss. They don’t crack under the pressure like some of the guys do.”

Graham has Team McMillan prepping for another competition in Phoenix, Ariz. in February 2017. Af-terwards, they plan on attending the world champi-onships in Ottawa, Canada in August 2017.

“This group, they apply all the details and they don’t lose track of things,” Graham said. “They’re a great group to coach.”

By David DeKunderJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Knowledge, training, patience and understanding are guiding Joint Base San Antonio caregivers who are teaching and helping children with disabilities and special needs.

Caregivers at child development programs at JBSA locations provide care to children 6 weeks to 5 years of age, including those with special needs and disabilities, whose parents are active-duty members, Department of Defense civilians or military retirees.

At JBSA, a process is put into place to make sure the developmental needs of children with special need and disabilities are met, said Mary Sharp, 502nd Force Support Squadron JBSA-Randolph Child Development Program training and curricu-lum specialist.

A child with special needs and disabilities has a group of JBSA medical professionals, thera-pists, child development specialists and repre-sentatives from the Exceptional Family Member

Program who come up with a plan for caregivers to follow in helping the child develop, Sharp said. The team includes the parents of the child with special needs and/or disabilities and caregivers, both of whom provide input on the child’s developing needs.

“The point is for the team to ensure we are able to meet the child’s needs and they are successful in our program,” Sharp said.

The caregivers use the same teaching methods for children with special needs and disabilities as they do with all the children they care for, Sharp said. The only difference is the process could be slower for a child with disabilities and special needs.

“What we do is the same just at a different pace,” Sharp said. “We are creating an environment for special-needs children where they can come and explore and develop at their own pace.”

Elaine Cherry, 502nd FSS JBSA-Randolph CDP technician lead, said caring for a child with special needs and disabilities presents itself with a different set of challenges and situations each day.

“You have to be patient and calm,” Cherry said. “Every day is different.”

Cherry said she treats a child with special needs or disabilities just like all of the children she looks after in the classroom.

“They are like any other child,” she said. “They have a disability, but then they do not know that. If you treat them like a normal child, they are going to act like a normal child.”

Caregivers get additional training on caring for children with special needs and disabilities from Kids Included Together, a program that provides skills and training to people and organizations who serve children. Sharp said Kids Included Together counselors provide training on social and emotional development and behavior management of children with special needs and disabilities to caregivers.

For information, contact the CDP at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 221-5002; JBSA-Lackland at 671-3675/3168, 925-5747/3851 or 671-1052/1040; or JBSA-Randolph at 652-4946 or 652-1140/1142.

JBSA caregivers provide care to children with special needs

Courtesy photoRetired Marine Corps Sgt. James Graham, 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron employee, poses with his marks-manship team during the National Rifle Association F-Class Championships in September at Lodi, Wisc.


Story and photo by Jose T. Garza IIIJBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

The 12-player roster for the All-Air Force men’s basketball team was announced Oct. 24 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Health and Wellness Center.

Representing the All-Air Force team are: 1st Lts. Michael Fitzgerald (Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.) and William Kammerer (Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.), 2nd Lt. Scott Adler (Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.), Staff Sgts. James Lewis (Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany), Anthony McDowel (MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.) and Brian Washington, Senior Airmen Daveon Allen (Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.), Dorian Donald (Misawa Air Base, Japan), Jahmal Lawson (Aviano Air Base, Italy), Anthony Morris (Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.) Travares Peterson (Joint Base Andrews, Md.) and Gregory Wilson (Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.)

Twenty-five Airmen participat-ed in a nine-day training camp at Chaparral Fitness Center Oct. 14-23 to earn a spot on the team and rep-resent the Air Force in its quest for a ninth straight Armed Forces Men’s Basketball Championship.

The team then traveled to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sunday to compete against the men’s basket-ball teams from All-Army, All-Ma-rine Corps and All-Navy in an eight-day tournament that will determine the Armed Forces Men’s Basketball champion.

Leading the All-Air Force team for the first time is Capt. Scott Stucky, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center acquisitions officer from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Air Force Sports officials selected Stucky, who currently serves as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Beavercreek High School in Ohio, to coach the All-Air Force team. Stucky brings basketball experience to the team from his days as an Air Force Academy men’s basketball player back in 2008 to 2012.

Matthew Holland, a former All-Air Force men’s basketball player, encouraged Stucky to submit his re-sume for the coaching position.

“I am honored to be a part of the Air Force men’s basketball pro-gram,” said Stucky. “I know the his-tory of this program, so it means a

tremendous amount to me to work with the Air Force’s best basketball players in continuing to uphold the tradition of the program.”

Veteran players are also driven to continue the program’s excellence.

Lewis, 52nd Comptroller Squadron financial comptroller and eight-time Armed Forces men’s basketball champion, is determined to win a ninth gold medal for the Air Force.

“Success is contagious. I hope success bleeds out to my teammates because I want them to experience being the best team in the Armed Forces,” said Lewis. “We have a very high reputation amongst the other services for being the best because they are always gunning for us.”

Retaining Armed Forces basketball supremacy is important to Fitzgerald, an AFLCMC cost analyst.

Fitzgerald, member of the 2014 championship team, said his goal is to keep the team’s title streak alive.

“I would like to frame another gold medal or give it to my child someday,” said the 6-foot-6-inch guard. “Calling myself an Armed Forces gold medal-ist is an honor.”

Visit https://www.myairforcelife.com/sports/ for information about participating in Air Force sports programs.

All-Air Force men’s hoops roster announced

Senior Airman Jahmal Lawson, 31st Security Forces Squadron defender at Aviano Air Base, Italy; goes for a dunk dur-ing All-Air Force Men’s Basketball practice Oct. 25 at the Chaparral Fitness Center.

Congratulations to the following 85 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among the 851 Air Force basic military trainees who graduate Nov. 4:

320th Training Squadron–Flight 735Kossi Bissadu Austin Kessler Edward Wigton –Flight 736Hayden Cotton Gian Giraldo Kyle Shaw Mason Thompson Mason Wight–Flight 737George Alverio Noah Beardslee–Flight 738Jennifer Donnellon Alexandria Esquivel Rachel Herrera Rachel Plautz Maegan Price

322nd Training Squadron–Flight 745Trent Abshire Kaya Coletrain-Garcia Zachary PampuroDamon Tillis –Flight 746James Bell Jacob Jones Mason Maloney Quentin Otero Cody Reeves Charles Vagnier–Flight 747Eligio Contreras Tyler Webb–Flight 748Shanice Brown Kelly Ford Laurel Kimmell Demani Scott Natalie Sheehey

323rd Training Squadron–Flight 739Joven Francisco Austin Johnson James Lavia Caleb Mcneil Lukas Otteson

Troy Roever Jonathan Zakhary–Flight 740Robert Jeannetti Kyle Sweezo Spencer Wendrick–Flight 741Bryant Elliott Devin Foxx Ryan Hussung Jarod Lamont Gabriel Lopez Jacob Ochs Reinaldo Ramos–Flight 724Faith Brown

324th Training Squadron–Flight 743Dennis Brooks Jeremiah Cronk Richard Deiss Derek Holt Garrett McGregor–Flight 744Toffano Barcellos Hallie Olsen Jenessa Preston Mccall Rafferty

331st Training Squadron–Flight 731William Davis Sean Flickinger Joshua Germenis Yussel Padilla Scott Singleton Jordon Varnier Nicholas Verity–Flight 732Adam Coyle Jonathan Gwin Michael Lanzalotti Elden Lowery Charles Myrick Christian Oleka Brock Szelestey Rudolph Woodward–Flight 733Christian Alston Richard Calo Joshua Dunny Shawn Lanphear Lee Maynard Gabriel Stines Dustin Weitkunat–Flight 734Zion AdkinsSandra Berry

Katlynn CastilloAbigail Stewart

Top BMT Airman Conner Adams323rd TRS, Flight 717

Most Physically Fit–Female AirmenMcCall Rafferty 324th TRS, Flight 744 Natalie Sheehey 322nd TRS, Flight 748 Katlynn Castillo 331st TRS, Flight 734 Hanna Rohr 331st TRS, Flight 734 –Male AirmenJeremiah Cronk 324th TRS, Flight 743 Lukas Otteson 323rd TRS, Flight 739 Travis Edwards 322nd TRS, Flight 745 Samuel Espada Rios 323rd TRS, Flight 740 –Female Flights320th TRS, Flight 738 331st TRS, Flight 734 324th TRS, Flight 744 323rd TRS, Flight 742 322nd TRS, Flight 748–Male Flights324th TRS, Flight 743 331st TRS, Flight 731 323rd TRS, Flight 739 320th TRS, Flight 737 322nd TRS, Flight 747 331st TRS, Flight 732 331st TRS, Flight 733

Top Academic Flights331st TRS, Flight 731 320th TRS, Flight 736 322nd TRS, Flight 746 322nd TRS, Flight 748 331st TRS, Flight 733 323rd TRS, Flight 740 324th TRS, Flight 743 323rd TRS, Flight 739 322nd TRS, Flight 747 320th TRS, Flight 738 322nd TRS, Flight 745 331st TRS, Flight 732 320th TRS, Flight 735 320th TRS, Flight 737 323rd TRS, Flight 741 324th TRS, Flight 744 331st TRS, Flight 734323rd TRS, Flight 742


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call 250-2345 for classifi eds or contact

Michelle Bogue at 250-2052 for

retail ads

By 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group

The REAL ID Act was enacted to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance…of sources of identifi -cation, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act prohibits Federal agencies from accepting, for offi cial purpos-es, driver’s licenses and identifi ca-tion cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.

The most up-to-date information on the REAL ID Act can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories. Users can register on the Department of Homeland Security website to re-ceive notifi cations of changes and updates to the REAL ID Act.

States that are compliant with the current REAL ID Act

Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washing-ton DC, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wis-consin and Wyoming.

Extension states and territoriesThe following states have been

approved for extension through Oct. 10, 2017: American Samoa, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, N. Marianas, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Texas.

Limited extension states and territories

The following states have exten-sions good through June 6, 2017: Alaska, California, Oregon and Virginia.

States and territories currently under review

Real ID Act enforcement begins on Jan. 30, 2017 for the follow-ing states and territories: Guam, Montana and the Virgin Islands.

Noncompliant states and territories

Real ID Act enforcement begins on Jan. 30, 2017 for the following states and territories: Kentucky, Maine, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington and South Carolina.

Minnesota and Washington are issuing Enhanced Driver’s Licenses that are good for installation access control.

REAL ID Act extension update

painting, an obstacle course, as well as tours of the USO and explanations of USO programs.

diabetes aWareness health Fair noV. 16

The Medical Management/Disease Management department will be hosting a Diabetes Health Fair 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Atrium for Diabetes Awareness Month. There will be various clinics and vendors participating and

giving out very useful information that will cater to all diabetic patients. Guest presenter Melvin Williams who retired from the New Orleans Saints, will be in attendance to speak about health and wellness. For additional information about this event, or to participate as a vendor, call 292-2939.

Flu Vaccines aVailable Infl uenza vaccines are available at

Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center atrium, building 4600, for military members, retirees and their dependents, aged 9 and older. The pediatric vaccine

for children, aged 6 months to 8 years old, are available at the Pediatric Clinic through the child’s primary care man-ager and at Immunizations Clinic. The hours of service are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Flu vaccination is mandatory for all military members and hospital employ-ees. In general, contractors are not eli-gible. Military members can check their individual medical readiness status as well as retrieve shots records for them-selves and dependents under 16 years old at https://imr.afms.mil/imr/MyIMR.aspx. For more details, call 292-4278.

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