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Rock Solid Warrior: Master Sgt. Barbara Paravola-Roschal

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  
Rank/First & Last Name: Master Sgt. Barbara Paravola-Roschal

Deployed Unit: 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron

Duty Title: Fitness Center Manager/Project Manager

Home unit/station: 560th Red Horse Squadron/Jount Base Charleston, S.C.

Family's military heritage:
I was the first in my family to serve in the armed forces. My daughter, Andre'a Roschal is in the U.S .Coast Guard and I am very proud of her.

What is your mission here?
Among other things, my mission is to leave things better then I found them.

What are some of the best parts of your mission?
The best part is seeing the "results" of persistence, networking and hard work.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
Things tend to move very slowly here, which can often be perplexing. At times, you just have to work around or do without. There is always a "Plan B".

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
I am presently a traditional reservise and a professional student which means that I only work for the military about five days per month. Supervising Airmen and NCOs is pretty much the same, but most of my UTA days are spent conducting and attending training. As a member of a RED HORSE Squadron, we have RHS training along with Services-specific and all the necessary ancillary training. As the Fitness Center Manager here at ASAB, I supervise nine Airmen and oversee operations for three fitness facilities and the base pool. The 560th RHS is a tenant unit on an active duty base so I do not have all the facility manager responsibilities at home station. I normally do not fill out AF Form 9s, 332s and 3215s. I also don't review/rewrite contracts, write base policy or review/reorganize spend-plans and create event calendars.

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

What makes this deployment unique?
Due to my replacement coming in 6 weeks early, I was able to move to a new section and oversee some special projects. This is a unique opportunity for me because I am not tied down to a specific job and I am able to have some versatility in my day. It's a great way to go out!

Why did you join the Air Force?
I thought about joining the Air Force after graduating from high school, but I didn't want to go at it alone and none of my friends would join with me. When I was 21, I was working as a meat wrapper. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I got laid off right around the time that I totaled my car. I had to take the train to the unemployment office once a week. The unemployment office was about two blocks from the train station. To get there, I had to walk right past all the armed forces recruiting offices. I wandered in one day and the rest is history