Rock Solid Warrior

Staff Sgt. Carlos Rance, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, performs his duty as noncommissioned officer in charge of medical logistics at an undisclosed deployed location in Southwest Asia on Feb. 5, 2013. Rance was awarded this weeks “Rock Solid Warrior” designation by the 386 Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Knox)

Rock Solid Warrior: Staff. Sgt. Carlos Rance

Published Feb. 5, 2013
386th Expeditionary Medical Group

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Rank/First & Last Name: Staff Sgt. Carlos G. Rance

Deployed Unit: 386 Expeditionary Medical Group

Duty Title: NCOIC, Medical Logistics

Home unit/station: 96 MDSS/SGSM, Eglin AFB, FL

What is your mission here? To maintain BW/CW assets and to make sure medical supplies and pharmaceuticals are delivered and provided to assist patient care in our host nation.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? Learning new processes in Medical Logistics and ensuring medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and BW/CW assets for our host nation are maintained.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? This is my first deployment. Learning new processes that I never dealt with State side and having to figure things out on my own. I overcame them by reading my Logistics Handbook and reaching out to experienced people in my career field.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At home we have approximately 30 people working in Medical Logistics. Here, everything is done by me.

How many times have you deployed? This is my first deployment.

What makes this deployment unique? Realizing how important my job really is and how much it affects the mission if it is not done correctly and timely.

Why did you join the Air Force? Growing up, I used to watch the Travel Channel and would see interesting places around the world. So I decided to join the Air Force because I felt it will give me opportunity to travel to these places.