Page 12 - Desert Lightning News 1-8-16

12 January 8, 2016
Air Force everything
Commentary by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- On an
average day, I eat, sleep and breathe Air Force.
My family is Air Force, my friends are Air Force,
my coworkers are Air Force, my spouse is Air
Force, I am Air Force. I bet there are a few skep-
tics out there who would say it’s unhealthy. But to
me it is everything and has been everything for
most of my life.
I was born one week before Halloween in
1986, on George Air Force Base, California. My
mother was an airman 1st class working as an
avionics communications systems specialist
thousands of miles from home. Society would
consider her a single mother, but she knew bet-
ter. She had Wingmen all around her and they
were her spouse, support system and caregivers,
should she need one.
Obviously, I don’t remember that particular
time in my life. But, as far back as I can remem-
ber, I knew we weren’t alone. We went on to live
in Texas, Germany, England, Ohio, Virginia and
back to England. I spent some time in Arkansas
with my grandparents, then back to Virginia and
then Hawaii, where my mother has since retired
- poor lady.
You would think living in Hawaii in your late
teens, early twenties, you would have nothing to
complain about. But when my dependent ID was
taken away the day I turned 21, it ripped a small
hole in me and it only continued to grow. I had
lost a large part of who I was, part of my identity.
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Not to mention, I was without health- amazing people; I rarely slow down to reflect on
care, tax-free shopping and cheap gas. the time that has passed. If I did, it would only
All my friends were either in the mili- remind me time is going way too fast and my Air
tary, spouses or dependents, and they Force career will be over before I know it. When
slowly began to disappear. I had taken that time does come, I will probably do what my
some college courses and was making mom did. She seems to have the right idea about
what I thought was pretty good money everything. I will continue to work for the mili-
waitressing. But I knew I could do more. tary in a different capacity, as a civilian.
I decided to join the military. I am After all, the Air Force is in my blood, and I
not going to lie, I backed out once. My like it that way.
grandfather passed and I wasn’t ready to
leave my mom alone, or maybe that was
an excuse I used because I was scared.
But when I finally got the nerve to go
through with it, I knew it was going to
be one of the best decisions I would
ever make. I wasn’t wrong. I got every-
thing I missed about the military back
and then some.
I remember seeing my mom in uni-
form thinking I could never do what
she does. She is among the best, the top
two percent, a senior master sergeant,
a superhero, and way stronger and way
smarter than I could ever be. I still be-
lieve that to this day, but now I get to wear the
uniform too and hopefully become a role model
for my son.
Yesterday marked my seven year anniversary
in the Air Force. I know that because I received
a notification to start my Course 15. I wouldn’t
have remembered otherwise and it’s not because
I don’t care. I do care...a lot. But, the military
keeps me busy with countless opportunities and
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