Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 1-29-16

Jan. 29, 2016 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

Are you getting the full experience?

Presented by by Master Sgt. having the ideal career. It’s about the experiences. There
Luke Community Chapel IDA BUSHEY is so much more to being an Airman than just an AFSC —
it’s the experiences.
When: 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2 56th Mission Support Group
until the food runs out How many other career fields allow its employees to travel
Where: Behind Hangar 914 One role I have as a career as- the globe, possibly making the Louvre in Paris, France, a stop
sistance advisor is to assist Airmen along the way? Or stepping foot into Neuschwanstein Castle
(same location as the chief’s burger burn) interested in retraining from their in Germany. Or being a few hundred miles away from Grand
current career field or Air Force Canyon — one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Menu specialty code. I often ask them,
“Why do you want to retrain to Anyone who has changed duty locations understands the
Chicken Cacciatore Master Sgt. Ida Bushey another career?” The answers vary reflecting one does prior to departing. You think about the
Baked Ziti from, “I don’t like the people I work with,” to “my recruiter people you’ve met, both those you’re happy to see in the
lied to me!” rearview mirror, and those you will truly miss. No matter
Garlic Toast, Veggies, Salad I’ve noticed some feel if they were in a different career the emotion, the experiences you shared make you better.
Fruit, Dessert field they would be more satisfied with the Air Force. They
Beverages base their happiness on obtaining what they think is the Fortunately, the Air Force rotates personnel, which allows
ideal career. For most, retraining into a different career you to meet more people, learn something new and grow
ACTION LINE field is not an option either because the career they want from those wiser than you. Each new person you encounter
is not available or they are ineligible at that point in their has a story, a culture and experiences you know nothing
56fw.pa@us.af.mil enlistment. about. When you value their knowledge enough to seek it
Truth be told, this short Air Force journey is not about out, you grow. A few words from the wise are invaluable.
The Commander’s Action Line
is your direct line to me with ques- I encourage Airmen to think of the Air Force as a series
tions or suggestions about subjects
of concern to the entire Luke Air See EXPERIENCE, Page 7
Force Base community.

]
I appreciate your feedback.
Your ideas and concerns help When opportunity knocks, answer door
build a stronger foundation on
which we can successfully com- by Master Sgt. you to parts of the military you never expanded my
plete our mission and take care of NEEL RODGERS knew existed. The project or ceremony knowledge
our people. could help hone your leadership skills. and helped
607th Air Control Squadron Or maybe it isn’t what you can get out me to be
To receive a response, leave Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus of it to make you grow, but it is what more effec-
your name and telephone number. 56th FW commander Throughout our time in the Air you can do for those who work with you tive as a se-
Action Lines of general interest are Force, whether for four years or 30, we to help them grow. Over time, succeed- nior NCO and
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and are presented with many opportuni- ing in these opportunities will define flight chief.
most efficient way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to ties. The places we go and the duties who you are.
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. we learn to do all lend themselves to It took a positive atti-
new experiences that most Americans I can speak to a lot of this from tude toward each opportunity for me
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along will never get. Those opportunities can experience. As a young senior air- to come away with everything I did.
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, be a key component to your success in man I received orders to Fort Hood, If I had started my time at Fort Hood
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. the Air Force. Texas, as a weather forecaster. For with a negative outlook or treated my
a while, everyone told me how sorry opportunities as a burden, I likely
PHONE NUMBERS The biggest reason people miss or they were for me and how horrible an never would have been asked to take
fail at the opportunities that come assignment it was. It wasn’t until a on the later ones. Without the knowl-
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 their way is their attitude toward prior-enlisted lieutenant told me how edge I gained from those later ones, I
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 them. Maybe you got the assignment great Army Support was that I became likely wouldn’t have made technical
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 everyone tells you is horrible, or you excited to go. In my nine years at Fort sergeant and master sergeant when I
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 were selected for a developmental Hood, I was tapped to be the expert did. I would argue those opportunities
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 special duty that deep down you really on our tactical equipment, train new are why I am a first sergeant today.
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 didn’t want. Or maybe you were just members on field skills and equip-
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 selected to run a project or ceremony. If ment, be our unit’s training manager You will be presented with opportu-
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 you approach each of these opportuni- and backup, and step in occasionally nities to step outside of your comfort
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 ties looking for the positives you can as deployment manager in addition zone while you are in the Air Force.
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 take from them, you will be successful. to being a forecaster. Each of these By looking at them positively, giving
+RXVLQJRI¿FH positions had manuals and Air Force your all and learning everything you
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 It doesn’t matter the situation, you Instructions I had to learn, and each can from them, you will be successful.
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 may learn something new and grow as one came with different expectations And by giving those opportunities to
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 an Airman. The new assignment could of me. Working in these positions has your people, you can help them be suc-
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 teach you about a new system or way cessful as well.
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 of doing things. The DSD could expose
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028
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Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 )RUFH1HZV6HUYLFH$(7&1HZV6HUYLFHDQGRWKHUVRXUFHV$OODGYHUWLVLQJLVKDQGOHG
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 Public Affairs chief ................................................. Lt. Col. Matt Hasson
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 Internal information............................................... Staff Sgt. Staci Miller ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 7KXQGHUEROWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86JRYHUQ
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to 7KHDSSHDUDQFHRIDGYHUWLVLQJLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQLQFOXGLQJLQVHUWVRUVXSSOHPHQWV
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