Page 4 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 1-29-16

4 Desert Wings January 29, 2016
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SUICIDE, from 2 I thought it was a sign of weakness. Then, my wife said
four words to me that have changed my life forever ... “I need to do is reach out and use them.
places. That’s not the worst thing in the world. I’m strong; I want a divorce.” 8QIRUWXQDWHO\,FKRVHDGLIIHUHQWSDWKZKLFKOHDGWRPH
can handle this, no problem—that’s what I thought anyway.
After 15 years together, my marriage was over and my eventually attempting to end my life.
Little by little, the rift between my wife and I began to children were moving 5,000 miles away. I couldn’t help but
grow. She grew distant and cold, while I became depressed question if I could have done things different. It all leads Editor’s Note: This article is part one of a three-part
and resentful. Every time we ended up in a situation that me to wonder, if I had sought out help earlier, where would commentary depicting the struggle of an Airman with re-
made me uncomfortable, I handled it poorly. She couldn’t I be? Would it have made a difference? turning from deployment, divorce and attempted suicide.
understand and would get angry with me. The names of individuals have been changed or removed
There are so many great resources for military members to protect the identities of those involved.
After three years of struggling on my own and an increas- who struggle with deployment issues. The only thing we
ingly damaged marriage, I still didn’t see the impact my BRIEFS, from 3
issues were having on my life. I refused to get help because
normal hours of operation. For more information, call
LEADER from 2 It will be your inherent responsibility to be a leader, but the 661-277-5727.

this effort, many leaders are uninformed. They expect their decision to be a good or bad leader will rest squarely on your Lost and found
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the information to them. There is nothing stopping any in- shoulders, it is the hope of this old crusty senior that you From time to time, certain lost items are turned in to
dividual to be self-informed by using the Air Force Portal, 412th Security Forces Squadron. Below is a list of per-
MyPers, or any other trusted information source. will be a leader other leaders want to emulate. sonal property the 412th SFS is holding for the rightful
owners to claim. After 45 days, 412th SFS will request
)LQDOO\72$&7,FDQQRWWHOO\RXKRZPDQ\SHRSOHIDLO If you were to ask that question to through the Base Property Disposal Board to destroy or
to act when they are in the best position to take action. It 20 different people I am sure you donate the property. If anyone recognizes any of these
could be as simple as walking by a piece of garbage and not would get 20 different answers, items, call 661-277-2826.
picking it up; this is a failure to act. How about pencil whip- but for me it comes down to three
ping the Airman Comprehensive Assessment? How about principles. These principles are not 1. One silver ring (jewelry) located Sept. 18, 2014
walking by someone who is in clear violation of standards the, “winning lottery tickets” or the, 2. One gray/gold ring (jewelry) located Sept. 23,
or not holding your own Airmen to the standard you lev- “secrets to ultimate success.” These 2014
ied upon them? Any one of these examples constitutes a are principles that have served me 3. One gold metal weaved bracelet (jewelry) located
IDLOXUHWRDFW7KH8QLWHG6WDWHV$LU)RUFHKDVHPSRZHUHG without fail for the 21 years I have Dec. 24, 2014
individuals to act and given them the authority to do so; so served in the greatest Air Force the 4. One set of keys containing a Honda key, two gold
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world has ever seen. card; located Aug. 8, 2015
These attributes, by themselves are useful, but to maxi- 5. One set of keys containing two silver keys and one
mize your leadership potential, they need to be exercised gold key with OD green key chain attachment located
in coordination with one another. If you care, but are un- Dec. 18, 2015.
informed and do not act, your ability to care is useless. If
you are informed, but do not care and do not act, then your
knowledge is useless. Finally, if you act, but do not care
about others or are uninformed; your actions can have dev-
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it will be imperative for all Airmen to be effective leaders.

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exclusively for members the US Military Branches includes Active Duty, Veterans, and Spouses/Surviving Spouses

Please Note: Must present military documentation or other proof that clearly reflects active or reserve status. See Dealer for complete details.

We also participate in the Foreign Executive Leasing Program (FELP)

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