Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 1-29-16

2 Desert Wings
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The devil inside
Deployment, divorce, attempted suicide
by Anonymous
Ramstein AB, Germany
Any service member who signed up after 9/11 did so
knowing that they would likely deploy to a hostile envi-
ronment.
We all do so willing and eager to serve our country with
honor. We read the stories of our courageous brothers and
sisters standing up for what they think is right and just, and
we gladly follow in their footsteps, fueled by inspiration
and ready to take on the world.
What we aren’t prepared for, or at least I wasn’t prepared
for, was the little devil that I took home with me after my
tour; post-traumatic stress.
It’s been years since I came back from Afghanistan,
but like many returning service members, part of me will
always still be there, and my mind brings me back there
more often than I would like. Fortunately for me, my doc-
WRUFODVVL¿HGPHDVKDYLQJ³GHSOR\PHQWUHODWHGPHQWDOLV- tend professional development seminars, Airman Leader-
sues,” which is not quite full-blown PTSD, but has had
catastrophic effects on my life.
In late 2011, my career took me to the International Secu-
rity Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. I
spent several months as a convoy leader and distinguished
visitor escort, which took me to just about every region of
the country.
Seven months, several sticky situations and one earth-
shattering, nearly fatal traumatic experience later, and I was Air Force the world has ever seen.
more than ready to come home to my beautiful wife and
three phenomenally patient children.
As a matter of fact, it was all I could think about, but not DERXWWKHSDWFKDERYHWKHOHIWEUHDVW$LUPDQ%DWWOH8QL-
always in a good way. Deployments are not only stressful
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entire family. This stress not only affected our day-to-day
lives, but also drove a wedge between my wife and me.
We fought with each other; we struggled to talk about any-
thing real and just couldn’t shake the depression of being
separated.
Commentary
Counting down the days to my return, I was excited,
afraid, anxious, nervous and sick, but mostly excited. I
was afraid of how my relationship would be with my wife
because of the distance that had grown between us in my
absence. If it wasn’t for the unconditional love I share with Even when they did, she expressly refused to talk about my
my children, I would have been more afraid than excited.
Even with my fear of how things would be, I never ex-
pected things to be the way they were.
My relationship with my children was great, and there
were never any issues there. I expected my wife and me to
still express affection toward one another and genuinely be
able to spend time together, but I was sadly disappointed.
Qualities of leader
by Senior Master Sgt. Jason Chiasson
Incirlik AB, Turkey
As I walk around Incirlik and speak with Airmen or at-
cares about these values, applies them to their lives, and
VKLS6FKRRORU)LUVW7HUP$LUPDQ¶V&HQWHUEULH¿QJV,DP uses them to guide their decision making process; they
usually asked the question, “What makes a good leader or
what do I have to do to make it in the Air Force?”
If you were to ask that question to 20 different people
I am sure you would get 20 different answers, but for me
it comes down to three principles. These principles are
not the, “winning lottery tickets” or the, “secrets to ulti-
mate success.” These are principles that have served me
without fail for the 21 years I have served in the greatest
7KH¿UVWWKLQJDSHUVRQQHHGVLV72&$5(6RXQGV recent policy or procedural changes; however, despite
simple enough, but when I say care I mean caring more
form pocket. For instance, if an Airman cares about the
January 29, 2016
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invisible. She spent most of her time reading books and
doing her own thing. Most conversations were one-sided
and never went deeper than “what do you want for dinner?”
deployment. She didn’t want to know what I went through
because she couldn’t handle it or the thought of me going
again.
This left me to deal with my issues alone.
That’s ok though, right? I mean, my problems aren’t that
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See SUICIDE, Page 4
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States Air Force, then they should care about the core val-
ues. Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in
all We Do; these values form our foundation. If a leader
would be a leader others would want to follow. When an
individual cares only about themselves, they can become
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daily changes that are impacting the Air Force, change
is life’s only constant. It is important for leaders to be
informed; otherwise ignorance guides decisions, which
can lead to irrevocable consequences. The Air Force has
done a great job of utilizing all forms of media to an-
swer the one-thousand and one questions that arise with
See LEADER, Page 4
Commander’s
Action Line
email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil
The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.
The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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commanders.
Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
for communication.