23 Dec 2015

Resiliency: The key to surviving the deployed experience Part 3

Recently I sat down with Chaplain Lt. Col. Dan, Chief James, from the 380 Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Master Sergeant William, First Sergeant Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and Capt. Kamy, Chief of the 380th’s Mental Health Clinic to discuss resiliency. What follows is the final part of our three part series on resiliency with a

23 Dec 2015

Resiliency: The key to surviving the deployed experience Part 2

Recently I sat down with Chaplain Lt. Col. Dan, Chief James, from the 380 Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Master Sergeant William, First Sergeant Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and Capt. Kamy, Chief of the 380th’s Mental Health Clinic to discuss resiliency. What follows is part two of our three part series.  Simms: Now that we’ve

23 Dec 2015

Resiliency: The key to surviving the deployed experience Part 1

This is the first of a three-part series on resiliency. Each week, the members of our panel will discuss perspective, preparation, and the resources available at the 380 AEW to help Airmen become more resilient. Resiliency. We read about it in our computer based training and we hear about it during commander’s calls, but what does it actually mean

16 Jan 2015

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS AND NARCOTICS

“Man, I need to buckle down and get promoted this year.”“I’m gonna cut back on sugary drinks.”“New year, new me.”Yes, it’s that time of year where we spend a moment or two reflecting on the accomplishments and failures of the past 365 days. While some may have more fond memories of the previous year, the one thing that unites us going forward is

3 Jul 2014

Independence--home and away

The 4th of July makes me think about how the beach feels on my toes, how good BBQ smells and the wonderful sight of fireworks. Most of all, it makes me think of my family and how much I miss them. In my 17 years in the military, seven of those were spent overseas. How many times have you spent the 4th away from home? Whether this is your first or

3 Jul 2014

Faces of Patriotism

On a quiet, starlit night blessed with a warm breeze that gently ruffles the flag's edges, I stand alone. I gaze upward through tear-filled eyes at our flag and see a kaleidoscope of faces--faces both past and present.I catch a glimpse of a small boat tediously transversing the half- frozen Delaware River and hear Gen. George Washington gently

23 Mar 2014

100 pounds later: The new me

I never used to push myself physically. Even as a high school athlete, I didn't feel the drive to push harder. I spent my first 10 years in the Air Force getting by just fine as a smoker, who barely exercised. I steadily gained 10 pounds per year during the first four years. Then, I got pregnant with my first child and gained 70 pounds and lost all

12 Mar 2014

Airman, award-winning author shares story, encourages others to follow dreams

When I was a little girl, I loved to write poems and horror stories. At 10 years old, I wrote a play about Bloody Mary, Donkey Lady, and The Werewolf, that my friends and I acted out for the neighborhood. Unfortunately, when my friends were unable to sleep without the lights on, they were no longer allowed to play with me.I've always had an active

26 Feb 2014

Keeping the bond throughout deployment

Deployments are different after you have a kid. I just never realized how different deployments would be once I became a parent. This deployment I am a mother. Sometimes I wonder how a mother could leave her 1-year-old baby like I have done, as if I am abandoning my child in some way, but then I remember the reason why I do it. I do it not just for

25 Feb 2014

My force shaping journey

In 2007, when given the opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Air Force, I was faced with one of the most difficult decisions of my life. Having started as a 17-year-old cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and having served nine years on active duty, I didn't even know what it was like to work full time outside the