Page 17 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, August 2019

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For those who haven’t heard the recent news, instructor and recruiting special duty positions will be added to the Officer Selection Brief and Secretary of the Air Force Memorandum of Instruction.
“We need inspirational leaders throughout our Air Force, and this begins with recruiting and instructing our Airmen,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein.
Besides promotion boards valuing these lead- ership experiences, other incentives will include deployment exemptions, two-year assignments (where possible), alma mater preference for Reserve Officer Training Corps assignments (when possible) and follow-on assignment preferences (as determined by the Airman’s respective career field).
Regardless of these much-improved an- swers to the question, “What’s in it for me?” I would ask any commissioned officer reading this article to ask themselves, “What’s in me that I have to offer?”
I guarantee that not only will a tour as an instructor benefit your career, but it will provide you with the intangibles that mold your character and leadership experiences beyond anything your specific specialty could ever provide you.
Times are changing. Take a look at yourself as an officer and reflect on whether or not you’re going to be one to change the times, or simply let time make the changes.
Editor’s note: To learn more about in- structor and recruiting officer special duty assignments, visit https://www.af.mil/ News/Article-Display/Article/1811802/air- force-announces-selection-process-for-officer- instructor-and-recruiting-spe/.
SEPATATED (from Page 2) antisocial, he’s not eating well and is a
bully at daycare.”
I felt as if I was failing as a mother. I
had to get help, not only for my son but for myself as well. I had no idea where to start.
The caregiver gave me a pamphlet about dealing with separation and inside was a card. I called and made an appointment to talk to a counselor.
We discussed my everyday routine. I felt comforted when I could see I wasn’t failing as a mother.
The counselor explained that re- gardless of a child’s age, the child can tell when a family member is gone or stressed. Although you may think it won’t rub off on them, it does.
As we continued our conversation he recommended some exercises with my children.
One exercise was the 1-2-3 method, also known as the “count” to stop be- havior. If your child is having a tantrum or isn’t listening, this exercise helps your child to learn, think and take re- sponsibility for his actions. Doing this sends the message that your authority is not negotiable before you act with a consequence. This consequence doesn’t necessarily have to be a big thing. It can simply be redirecting your child toward doing something else, like assisting you with putting items away or reading a book with them.
He explained that the more I get involved with my children, the better. I
should replace that sense of separation with love and care for my children, help- ing to distract that feeling of loneliness in them and me.
After discussing how I could help my children, the counselor asked, “How are you handling all this?”
I said I had struggled with trying to keep everything the same as when my husband was at home. I felt over- whelmed and stressed and so did my children.
He explained no matter how much I wanted things to be the same, they weren’t. All I could do was make the best of each situation. Not only that, I should find a hobby that would help to diminish the stress.
I took what the counselor said to heart. My son is no longer being anti- social; he’s eating more and being nicer to other kids. I still have to deal with his “terrible-2” moments, with and my 1-year-old daughter sometimes joining him, but for the most part, they’re back to normal.
Even when you feel there’s nowhere to turn for help, there’s always someone who cares and can guide you in the right direction. There are other resources on base to support you in times of need, such as the Airman and Family Readi- ness Center, key spouse groups, first shirts and mental health.
Whether it’s a friend, family member, counselor or even just writing a journal, there are always avenues for help.
You’re not alone.
iNSTRuCToR
(from Page 2)
Formerly known as flight commanders, the frontline flight instructors are the hands that mold the clay. Day in and, many times, night out, these trusted and empowered keepers of the commission teach, evaluate, lead and mentor trainees to earn a commission in the military. The days are full, vocal cords are strained and their own leadership stretched, but the instructor is the Air Force’s trusted judge regarding whether or not a trainee has what it takes to be a commissioned officer.
So what’s in it for the officer who is diligent- ly working within their Air Force specialty, checking the boxes of promotion and enjoying the comfort of predictability?
For those officers I ask — in what other assignment will a company grade officer have more opportunity to influence, network and grow professionally? The sheer number of career fields instructors come into contact with at OTS is unparalleled, both with fellow CGO instructors and trainees alike.
Additionally, the professional relation- ships cultivated, and leadership sponged from visiting officials, at the “mothership of officer PME” benefits any that call Maxwell Air Force Base home at any point in their career, let alone at the accessions level as a CGO and the increase in stature as an officer, as one having to constantly set the example of a commissioned leader in the military.
Nevertheless, I understand the hesitancy of the active duty CGO. Believe me, I was on the “voluntold” end of a permanent change of station order to instructor duty as an enlisted air traffic controller. Many see instructor duty as a career killer. Well, times are changing.
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