Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 11, 2021

2 June 11, 2021 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news June 11, 2021 3
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Unplug to re-charge … you need it! Army & Air Force Exchange Service associates receive

by Lt. Col. Kurt Wampole or “I’ve got my phone/computer with me It’s easy for me to stand on my soapbox self to unplug is to be deliberate in doing Red Cross honor for life-saving actions at Nellis AFB
Scott AFB, Ill. if anything comes up.” Telework due to and preach the importance of unplug- so. This is true especially for leaders in
the pandemic has blurred these lines ging from work, but how can we actually formal leadership positions. Whether techniques. Atienza was trained by the Exchange and
As the hard charging Airmen that all even further. I admire their dedication, implement this? Easier said than done, or not you realize it, your subordinates Two Army & Air Force Exchange Service associ-
of us are, it can be difficult to leave the but I’ll argue that sometimes it’s just but let me offer a few suggestions. are watching what you do. If you make a ates at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., were honored with Timbol was trained in the Marine Corps.
“It’s really hard when they issue a Code Blue,” Timbol
issues of the shop or office behind. as important to leave that stuff behind, First, you have to build a good team. I habit of taking your computer home or Certificates of Merit, signed by President Biden, from said. “You’ve got some people who think, ‘Oh, it can’t
We all have a vested interest in our completely unplug from work, and focus am incredibly blessed to be surrounded sending e-mails over the weekend or on the American Red Cross during a ceremony May 25.
Airmen, and rightfully so! on the other priorities in life. by an amazing team of strong leaders at leave, your folks will think that’s the ex- PowerZone Supervisor Ikaipo Atienza and Customer be that bad.’ But you have to put some thought into
it and think, ‘This might be the call.’ It was definitely
I’ll be the first to say that military A recent study published by the Mayo all levels, and I know that they can get pectation. So instead, be deliberate about Service Supervisor Alan Timbol were recognized for
service isn’t just a job, but a vocation and Clinic found that poor work-life balance things done without me. doing the opposite. Set the example and their actions in December, when a military retiree was something that took me back to my experiences in the
military.”
even a calling. Our nation counts on us to can lead to family instability, which can The second, and possibly most im- unplug! Your subordinates will notice, found unconscious in the mall. Exchange Chief Operating Officer Jason Rosenberg
get our mission done, and given the high then lead to chronic stress and reduced portant step is to actually empower and I think you’ll find yourself a lot more Their actions saved the shopper’s life, and both as- said Atienza’s and Timbol’s actions were inspirational.
operational tempo and reduced manning productivity. this team. Trust those around you with relaxed as well. sociates received certificates from the Red Cross and “You inspire us every day, truly, with what you did,”
that have pervaded our service as long So while your intentions are good more responsibility, and I think you’ll Of course, there are times when we coins from Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull and Rosenberg said.
as I can remember, we could very easily and you think you are going above and be amazed at what they can accomplish. simply can’t avoid having to accom- Exchange Chief Operating Officer Jason Rosenberg Atienza and Timbol also received coins from Col.
work ‘round the clock’ and still not get beyond for the Air Force, in reality you Over time you’ll learn to trust them plish work away from the workplace. during the ceremony. Anthony Figiera, commander of the 99th Mission Sup-
everything done. That said, our dedica- are making the situation worse. completely, enabling you to step away Emergencies, unforeseen crises and ops “You represent the best of humanity,” Shull said. port Group.
tion to our people and our mission must You — and the Air Force — would and unplug. tempo sometimes require it and can’t be “What you did to save a life was amazing. You truly “The military and the Air Force have a big mis-
not preclude us from taking some time actually be better served by putting A mentor once told me that a good avoided. live out the Exchange’s core value of the courage to use Courtesy photo sion here, and we can’t do it without our mission
for ourselves. down the work phone for a while and leader is one that has empowered and I’ll be the first to drop everything good judgment. Your efforts will surely inspire others BrookeLynn Elder (right) of the American Red Cross partners,” Figiera said. “AAFES is a huge partner
All too often I see Airmen taking re-charging your personal batteries. trained his organization well enough that and respond if one of my Airmen needs to act on their own accord.”
their laptops home with them over the As a commander, I’d much rather have it functions seamlessly if the leader steps something! These situations are all the During the medical emergency, Atienza performed presents Ikaipo Atienza (left) and Alan Timbol with for us. I’m proud every day when I get up and put on
Certificates of Merit during a ceremony May 25 at the Nellis this uniform to support this mission, and I’m proud
weekend or while heading out the door somebody completely unplug for a week, away. If the organization is so reliant on more reason to unplug whenever you can. CPR on the shopper and used an automated external to work with such great teammates like the folks at
on leave. enjoy some time with friends, family, the leader that it fails without him or her, Working while away from work should defibrillator as Timbol assisted. Paramedics arrived, Air Force Base Exchange. AAFES who take care of our families and take care
And I can’t tell you how many times and then come back to work well-rested, that leader has failed. Strong words, but be the exception, not the rule. So do took over treatment and transported the patient to the
I’ve heard phrases such as “I’m just on lo- re-charged and ready to hit the ground something to think about. yourself, your organization, and the Air hospital. you’re just going. You just have to remember your train- of those who are serving.”
The Certificate of Merit has been awarded since
cal leave, so call me if you need anything” running. Another suggestion for enabling your- Force a favor … go unplug and re-charge! The next day, the associates learned that the patient ing and be grounded in your fundamentals. I don’t do
had survived and that their actions helped save his life. this for an award. I don’t do this for recognition. I just 1911 and is the highest award given to individuals who
“Lots of thoughts and things were going through do it because I care.” save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross
Training Services course.
shouldering, shedding and sharing burdens
Both associates were trained in Red Cross lifesaving
my mind,” Atienza said. “There’s no book, no how-to,

by Maj. Brandon Ray Though many of us share similar burdens in our its greatest growth potential when it sheds its shell, reserve airmen give back to local community
Dover AFB, Del. private lives, some of them are designed specifically which often coincides with most vulnerable point of
for us to shoulder as individuals. It is my responsibility its journey. The day was just one chance
The word ‘burden’ often carries a negative conno- to uphold the covenant of my vows I shared with my Conversely, remaining in the wrong environment by Natalie Stanley Cafe meals for children who are food for Airmen at the 706th FS to give
tation. It often conjures up thoughts of hardship and wife until death do us part. It is my responsibility, not will limit growth potential. I once observed a shark in Nellis AFB, Nev. insecure and hungry in the Las Vegas back to the community since Maj.
despair. society’s, to raise my sons as men of character. It is my a fish tank. A shark that would naturally grow to eight community. Melanie Singer, 706th FS, direc-
Years ago, my greatest source of inspiration for lead- charge to teach them, through example and experience, feet in the ocean, grew to no more than six inches in Citizen Airmen from the 706th The local nonprofit works towards tor of staff, started a quarterly
ership, “The Book,” changed how I viewed the concept right from wrong. It is my responsibility to well and the fish tank. The shark’s environment limited it from Fighter Squadron volunteered at a local serving the 363,000 people in the local volunteer day for her Airmen.
of burdens. My favorite chapter provides three major faithfully discharge the duties of my office because I reaching its fullest potential. Our journeys often mimic nonprofit food organization May 27, in community who are food insecure, with “It helps our Airmen un-
takeaways on the concept: some burdens are meant to took those obligations freely. Despite our collective jour- the lobster shedding its shell or the shark in the fish Las Vegas, Nev. a peak of over 410,000 people needing derstand the benefits of selfless
be shouldered; some burdens are meant to be shed; some neys, there are some things we must do for ourselves. tank: transformation often coincides with vulnerability The Airmen helped pack 1,600 Kids assistance during the pandemic. service to our community and
burdens are meant to be shared. So what does it mean to shed a burden? or placing ourselves in the right environment. it builds team comradery,” said
What does it mean to shoulder a burden? To shed a burden is to get rid of the things preventing My favorite concept of burdens is the notion that we Singer.
Merriam-Webster defines the word burden as some- you from becoming the best version of yourself. Shed- share in each other’s burdens: the essence of servant The team was the first group
thing that is a duty, obligation or responsibility. ding these burdens is key to the next season of growth. leadership. of volunteers to serve in the non-
The etymology of the word is derived from Old Eng- Why does the dog shed its fur? The dog rids itself of There are some burdens that weren’t meant to be profit kitchen since the beginning
lish, possessing the meaning of a load that is borne or the damaged hair to make room for new growth; the carried, much less carried alone. We often carry these of the COVID-19 shut down.
carried; a weight, charge, or duty. To shoulder a burden, new growth ensures the dog is best prepared for the burdens alone because we don’t want to bother anyone For Airman First Class Jasmin
one must fulfill the obligations or duties designed for coming season. or because we believe no one understands our circum- Valdez-Ramos, 706th FS person-
his or her unique journey. Our respective oaths of office Holding onto what isn’t required or failing to adapt stances. alist and Las Vegas native, volun-
provide us with the burden of supporting and defending to what is needed in the future, leaves us ill-equipped teering was an opportunity for
our Constitution. to thrive in the coming season. The lobster experiences See burdENS, on Page 5 her to help ensure her neighbors
have the food they need during
these difficult times.
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Stuart Ibberson, Editor the Department of Defense or the Department of the affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the Corrections: Desert Lightning News staff Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Smith and Airman 1st Class
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout members strive for accurac y each week . Jasmin Valdez-Ramos, 706th Fighter Squadron, great time helping the commu-
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