This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Eric Rubio, a 386th Security Forces Squadron assistand flight sergeant deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. 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.
WHY DID YOU JOIN?
I was raised very patriotic. My father immigrated from Mexico to the United States when he was 18 years old and owed everything he had to America. My mother is a fifth generation Californian so her roots are deeply tied. Although I did not have any family members in the military since WWII, I felt a strong desire to serve in one way or another.
DEPLOYED UNIT VS HOME STATION?
Back home we focus on always being ready to deploy which involves a lot of training. I am also the unit fitness monitor so I make sure everyone stays fit to fight and current on their physical fitness tests. Here, I get to focus more on being a security forces leader. I focus on the mission and more importantly, the airmen.
GOALS?
I had two professional goals I wanted to tackle while I was deployed, complete NCOA and enroll in college. Fortunately, I was able to accomplish both. My personal goals were to get in better shape and save as much money as possible, which I also was able to accomplish.
FAVORITE PART OF MISSION?
My favorite part of the mission here is being able to conduct key leader engagements with the locals. Part of being a base security zone supervisor is speaking with the local nationals to build rapport with them and also establish a flow of information which in turn helps us maintain security around the base.
HOBBIES?
My hobbies include: Olympic weightlifting, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, golfing and shooting guns.
CHALLENGES?
My biggest challenge here is being a flight sergeant and managing 72 defenders. I was definitely under-experienced compared to my peers, and also out of my comfort zone. I was able to handle this challenge by leaning on my peers and supervisors who have been in my shoes before. Using techniques such as feedbacks, knowing members temperaments and being able to recognize when team members hit the performing stage, have all helped with me with the challenges that I’ve faced here.