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Rock Solid Warrior: Tech. Sgt. Timothy Coffey

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Rank/First & Last Name: Tech. Sgt. Timothy Coffey

Deployed Unit: 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron

Duty Title: Noncommissioned Officer, Dining Facility, Fitness & Recreation Operations

Home unit/station: 96th Force Support Squadron / Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Family's military heritage: My foster father served honorably in the U.S. Navy for 8 years aboard nuclear submarines.

What is your mission here? My Team and I provide 24/7 meal service, fitness facility, and recreation programs for the personnel who work at or transit through the base installation.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? Being here for the customers. I like taking something and doing my best to make it better for the customer. That is the biggest satisfaction I get from my job at the end of the day.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? The biggest challenge here at the installation is space. This is a really condensed base. Also having to order food so far in advance is challenging, but I like challenges.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? The big difference is at the end of the day you are not going to your home to see your family and friends. Another big difference in a deployed location is the people are more appreciative of what we do for them. I'm constantly getting thanks for what we do for our customers. That in itself makes my job satisfying to do every day. Back at home base you don't get the thanks as much from your customers.

How many times have you deployed? This is my 13th deployment in my career. I have been away from home a total of 3 years and 9 months.

What makes this deployment unique? This is the first time I've been deployed to here in this country and the fact that we are separated from our main squadron and have to take a bus to work, makes it the most unique deployment I've been on. Living at one location and working at another is a new deployment experience for me. It makes you think outside of the box.

Why did you join the Air Force? I joined the Air Force to serve my country and to go to school. I never planned on making it a career until after I got married and had my son. I'm extremely happy that I've made this a career. The Air Force has taught me discipline and how to handle situations in ways that put the customer first. From my experiences, it has made me become a better father to my kids. The Air Force has taught me to cherish the things we have because no one knows how long we will be here. When you're away from your family for extended periods of time it brings us closer than if I was in a civilian job. Another major reason why I stayed in the military is because the Air Force saved my son's life. When Cameron (15 now) was 6 months old he was diagnosed with 2 holes in his heart and needed to have open heart surgery. The Air Force covered everything and took care of Cameron. At the very moment I knew my son would be fine, I decided I would stay in until retirement because the Air Force saved my boy.