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Desert Wings Commentary August 21, 2015
2 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
‘We’re all in this together’ $VHQLRU1&2¶V¿YHFRQVWDQWV
by Senior Master Sgt. Rodney Bernard ,QWHJULW\DQGUHVSHFW
Spangdahlem AB, Germay ,QYHVWLQ\RXUVHOIERWK¿QDQFLDOO\DQG
academically
Service in the Air Force today means different things *HWLQYROYHGLQ\RXUFRPPXQLW\
for different people. %HFDUHIXOZLWKDOFRKRO
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Depending on your unique circumstances, such as fam-
ily dynamics, job or upbringing, how you navigate through the doors that a college degree could open for you toward VWLOO¿QG\RXUVHOIFRQVXPLQJVLJQL¿FDQWDPRXQWVRIDOFRKRO
WKRVHG\QDPLFVFDQKDYHDVLJQL¿FDQWLPSDFWRQ\RXUWLPH achieving your goals is equally valuable. The Air Force very frequently, regardless of your age or rank, and you
VHUYLQJDQGVLJQL¿FDQWO\KHOS\RXSUHSDUHIRUWKHGD\\RX RIIHUVH[FHSWLRQDOEHQH¿WVDVVLVWDQFHDQGRSSRUWXQLWLHVLQ feel like you’ve got it under control, just be honest with
no longer will wear the uniform, whether that’s after four ERWKRIWKHVHDUHDVWKDWFRXOGVLJQL¿FDQWO\LPSURYH\RXU yourself. It usually catches up to you, either physically,
years or 30 years. earning power and lifestyle for years, long after you lace mentally or legally. Alcohol-related problems can spiral
up your boots for the last time. RXWRIFRQWUROYHU\TXLFNO\DQGFDQKDYHVLJQL¿FDQWHIIHFWV
Through a series of both positive and negative experi- on you, your organization and your family.
ences, as well as some great counsel over the years, I’ve Get involved in your community: Seek out and get in-
gained insight and perspective that have served me well volved in a community organization that you believe in Balance: )LQGWKHEDODQFHLQ\RXUOLIH,W¶VGLI¿FXOWWRJR
IRUPRUHWKDQ\HDUV,¶PSURXGWRVKDUHWKH¿YHPRVW supporting — a cause that is important to you. The key is to IXOOVSHHGZLWKRXWHYHQWXDOO\EUHDNLQJGRZQDWVRPH
important constants I’ve learned over the course of my do it because you genuinely want to do it, not because you point. Everyone’s priority is THE priority, but there needs
career in the hopes they may help someone else navigate believe someone else wants you to do it. Aside from the to be a balance. With today’s challenges of less people,
through their own individual circumstances, and maybe personal satisfaction of doing so, community involvement time and money, you have to recognize when you’re out
have a positive affect for someone. can also provide networking opportunities, experience out- of balance. Find things that will make your life more ef-
side of and a break from your primary job, and help you to ¿FLHQW%HSURDFWLYHDVEHVW\RXFDQ0DLQWDLQ\RXUIDPLO\
I’ve been fortunate enough to have some good supervi- GHYHORSVLJQL¿FDQWSHUVRQDODQGSURIHVVLRQDOUHODWLRQVKLSV responsibilities as one of YOUR priorities. Stay physically
sors, mentors, friends and family who have looked out for active to help relieve stress. Eat well. And most importantly,
me. They’ve collectively helped me to take advantage of Be careful with alcohol: Keep your alcohol use in check. ask for help when you need it; no one is in this alone.
the opportunities the Air Force has presented to me over If the bar tab starts to become a major expenditure on your
the span of my career, which in turn helped me prepare budget or waking up each morning with a headache has ,KRSHVRPHRQH¿QGVP\PHVVDJHKHOSIXODQGPD\EH
for life after my service. Generally speaking, time and become the norm, it may be time to look in the mirror and this sparks an opportunity for further conversation.
experience yield clarity; here are some things I’ve learned ask yourself some honest questions. Although many people
and learned to value through the years: believe they can hide hangovers, people do notice when Once again, we’re all in this together.
you’re not at full speed. If you need help, get help. If you
Integrity and respect: Without them, you may not even
get through the door of an organization; in fact, it could be
one of the quickest ways out of an organization. We live
in an extremely global world today with information mov-
ing faster than ever before, militarily, economically and
socially. Many times, as we’re presented with challenges,
the best path to a viable solution will be rooted in mutual
integrity and respect.
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Understanding the relationship between time, money and
interest can be one of the most important, lifelong-ben-
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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.
