Page 2 - Beacon 5-29-15

2 May 29, 2015 www.march.afrc.af.mil

BEACONTHE Taming the TDY beast of single parenting

Volume 80, Number 21 by Capt. Perry Covington I scoff and assure her that I am more than ca- Courtesy photo
452 AMW public affairs pable of taking care of our two young daughters
452 AMW Public Affairs while she is gone. I even playfully insinuate that Taming the beast together makes for one
14560 2nd Street, Bldg. 2640 Greetings my fellow service members. I am better suited to take care of the kids than big happy family, right?
March ARB, CA 92518-1852 I have just come from the belly of the beast she is. She nodded, knowingly, and said, “Okay,
DPZSDZRUNÀRZ#XVDIPLO and I would like to share my experience with we’ll see.” took the dig. “Yes, I did their hair,” I say guiltily.
everyone. You may be wondering what ‘beast’ Mrs. Teacher nodded and smiled mockingly. I
fax: 951-655-7070 I’m referring to. It is an experience that many That was that. A few days later, she left and I got in my car, face the daily traffic and barely
phone: 951-655-4138 of you have probably had— one that many was in charge of the whole enchilada. No prob- made it to work on time. That was two hours
have successfully survived with much more lem.That night I made lunches, laid out clothes, into day one of my time with my girls alone
&200$1'(5 grace than I. and prepared everything for the next day of while Mom was away on a TDY.
Col. Russell Muncy school for the kids and work for myself. I went
Temporary DutyAssignment orTDY is usu- to bed proudly, knowing that I was completely As the days passed, I got better, but I couldn’t
38%/,&$))$,562)),&(5 ally not a big deal. I’ve been on many a TDY prepared, possibly even over prepared. shake the feeling that I really had no idea how
Capt. Perry Covington without issue. But TDY is not the ‘beast’ I’m much it takes to run a household alone. My
referring to. I’m talking about staying home The next morning I awoke and I was hat’s off to all the single parents, military fami-
(',725 with the kids, while your spouse goes on TDY. slapped with the harsh reality that there was lies, and anyone else who takes on the hercu-
Ms. Linda Welz For all my dual-military parents out there, you definitely a problem for which I was definitely lean task of running a family without a partner
know exactly what I’m talking about. I have not prepared. As I was waking up my six-year- around to help. You all will forever have my
$0:(',725,$/67$)) never been on the ‘at home’ end of a TDY but old and three-year-old, I realized that some- respect. To the dads out there with daughters,
Master Sgt. Megan Crusher let me tell you, I have a new found respect for time in the middle of the night, my youngest if you’re looking on a tutorial on hair styling,
Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lindemann the spouses who stay home to take care of the daughter took the clothes I laid out for them YouTube has some great ones!
day to day operations. and threw them in the toilet. I tried my best to
Senior Airman Russell McMillan shrug off the setback but then as we continued
Senior Airman Joseph Dangidang Let’s set the stage, shall we. I am an Air to get ready it dawned on me that I had to do
Senior Airman Kevin Mitterholzer Force reservist with the mighty 452nd Air Mo- their hair. Don’t get me wrong, I can tie up a
bility Wing. I am your public affairs officer. My ponytail with the best of them, but what I didn’t
The Beacon is published by wife is in the 163d Reconnaissance Wing as a anticipate the pure anger and rage my daugh-
Aerotech News and Review. Aero- force support officer. We are both captains and ters could display as I was trying to comb out
WHFKLVDSULYDWH¿UPLQQRZD\FRQ- we both love our organizations. Often times we the knots of the tangled bed hair. Flustered, we
nected with the U.S. Air Force, un- argue about which wing is best, but let’s save jump in my van and I got them to school with
der exclusive written contract with some time for purposes of this commentary and minutes to spare.
the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. This agree that the 452 AMW is the best. So, a few
civilian enterprise Air Force news- weeks ago my wife finds out that she has to go As we walked up to their classroom, I am
paper is an authorized publication to Germany for two weeks for some training. greeted by their teacher with a disapproving
for employees and members of We were sitting at the dinner table and she asks look. “Looks like Daddy did your today, huh
U.S. military services, retirees and me if I’ll be okay with the kids while she’s gone. girls?” she said sympathetically. I sighed and
family members. Contents are not
QHFHVVDULO\ WKH RI¿FLDO YLHZV RI 101 Critical Days of Summer reminders
or endorsed by, the U.S. Govern-
ment, the Department of Defense E\$0:6DIHW\RI¿FH Tires low on air will have less grip on the when stranded on the side of the road.
or the Department of the Air Force. With summer vacations just around the road and can have excessive sidewall flex- You can easily create a good kit by putting
ing that increases tire wear and possibly these items in a box: two quarts of oil, two
The appearance of advertis- corner, we have entered the 101 Critical lead to a blowout. Make sure each tire has quarts of radiator coolant, a small funnel, a
ing in this newspaper, including Days of Summer. No matter what your a valve cap. The cap prevents dirt from en- tire pressure gauge, a pocket knife, match-
inserts or supplements, does not choice of recreation is, planning it ahead tering the valve stem, which can cause air es, rags, an assortment of wrenches, sock-
constitute endorsement of the of time and taking some basic precautions leakage. The cap also serves as a second ets, and screwdrivers, a flashlight, roadside
products or services by the De- will keep you safe and make your time seal on the valve stem to maintain correct flares, a first aid kit, electrical tape, jumper
partment of Defense, the Depart- much more enjoyable during these 101 tire pressure. Don’t forget to check the cables, and a “help” sign window banner.
ment of the Air Force or Aerotech Critical Days of Summer! Following are spare tire for the inspection items above.
News and Review, Inc. tips to help keep you and your family safe It’s also a good time to ensure you have the LIGHTS/HORN: Start the vehicle in
in various situations. tools you need to change a tire; i.e. jack, order to visually check all of the lights. If
(YHU\WKLQJ DGYHUWLVHG LQ WKLV lug wrench, and tire chalks. you have someone available, have them
newspaper shall be made avail- Planning for Safety check the backup lights, brake lights, and
able for purchase, use or patron- Driving – Before you go your car should WIPERS: Examine the wiper blades turn signals. Make sure your assistant is
age without regard to race, color, be in safe operating condition. looking for cracks or missing pieces of not directly behind you when you put the
religion, sex, national origin, age, BRAKES/TIRES: Test-drive the ve- rubber. While the engine is running, turn vehicle in reverse. Check all reflectors and
marital status, physical handicap, hicle for brake response and feel. Listen on the wipers and washer to see if both are lenses to ensure that they are not cracked,
SROLWLFDO DI¿OLDWLRQ RU DQ\ RWKHU for noises (high pitched squeal, clunking). operating properly. Good blades shouldn’t broken, or missing. It’s also a good idea to
non-merit factor of the purchaser, Have your brakes checked by a competent leave streaks. In the summer, bugs can have a mechanic check your headlights for
user or patron. mechanic. Be sure the mechanic removes build up on the blade leaving streaks. proper alignment. Check the horn.
the wheels and checks the brake lines and Simply take a wet rag and run it along the
(GLWRULDOFRQWHQWLVHGLWHGSUH- fittings. Check your tires for tread depth. blade. Don’t operate the wipers if a blade STEERING: Excessive steering play
pared and provided by the staff Smooth tires can result in a blowout at high is missing—you may scratch the glass. can make your vehicle less responsive. For
of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing speeds or loss of control of your car on wet non-power steering check for excessive
3XEOLF$IIDLUV RI¿FH DW 0DUFK$LU pavement or in other high-risk situations. EMERGENCY KIT: Having an emer- play by turning the steering wheel back
Reserve Base. All photographs Be sure your tires are adequately inflated. gency road kit can get you out of a jam
in the Beacon are Air Force pho- See SUMMER page 6
tos unless otherwise stated. For
advertising, contact Aerotech di-
rectly at 877-247-9288.

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