Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Caitlyn Bohlman

This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Caitlyn Bohlman, a 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron contracting officer, deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the mission. (U.S. Air Force graphic/ Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly)

Published May 17, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Caitlyn Bohlman, a 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron contracting officer, deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the mission.

What is your current job title and unit?
Contracting Officer with the 386 Expeditionary Contracting Squadron.

Which squadron and base are you deployed from?
99th Contracting Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Why did you join the Air Force?
I wanted to see the world and meet new people while gaining meaningful life experiences and making a real impact on something bigger than myself.

How is your deployed unit/job different from your home unit/job?
The main difference between my job here and my job at home is that here I have my warrant so I can use my discretion to decide what is the best way to meet the needs of the government. Here, I get to be more involved in the acquisition planning process and assume more of an advisory role in addition to the buyer role to support the mission. I’m not just here to buy stuff but I’m also here to provide business advisory support to protect the interest of the government.

What are some of your professional and personal goals?
Professional: I would like to make SSgt and continue to support my customers to the best of my abilities. I would like to deploy more and continue to support the warfighter in contingency environments. I plan on finishing my degree and doing whatever I can to grow as a person and a contracting officer.
Personal: My biggest personal goal is success as a mother, not defined by my child’s survival but by him thriving and eventually becoming a productive member of society… he’s 2 though so I’ve got time. I would also like to grow as an artist and hone my skill while experimenting with other mediums and eventually become a tattoo artist.

What is your favorite part of your mission here?
My absolute favorite part of my mission here is my customer. I’ve had the most amazing job satisfaction and if it weren’t for my amazing customers I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do half of what I do. I am forever grateful to have a chance to serve my customers here. Additionally, since I do serve a geographically separated location directly and people all over the AOR come here through that location it gives me some additional pride that my customer base is directly contributing to their fight. I feel connected to the big fight through my customer which gives me a greater sense of purpose in the job I do.

What are some of your hobbies?
Some of my hobbies include painting, drawing, skydiving, rock climbing, running, traveling, reading, puzzles, collecting tattoos, streaming, working out and interior design. Basically, I’m a creative with a knack for adventure.

What are some of the challenges you face here? How do you overcome them?
Some of the challenges I face here are simply homesickness. I miss my son, my four fur-babies and my family but talking to them on facetime and looking at old pictures and videos helps me get past that.