An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Commentary: Mission success depends on Airmen's contributions

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alex Rosales
  • 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  I have been assigned as an EC-130 crew chief for the last seven years. The aircraft and mission are in low supply/high demand, so I am deployed every year and do not see that changing anytime in the near future.

Many Airmen at all phases of their careers are suddenly finding themselves in deployed environments. The technical skills required of Airmen are always changing, and Airmen are now required to staff positions they have never filled before. The goal is for these Airmen to learn every aspect of their jobs, with the help of effective trainers and supervisors.

It does not matter what career field an Airman is assigned to; whether he or she is a pilot flying supplies downrange or a services troop working at the gym, everyone plays an essential part in the mission. The best thing Airmen can do is have a positive mindset about how their jobs contribute to the Air Force mission and realize that all Airmen depend on each other.

During my first deployment, I worked with many higher-ranking and experienced people. At times, there weren't a lot of mission-related tasked to perform, so I chose to clean the aircraft windows, take out the trash and service the toilets as a way to fight the embarrassment of being idle. Doing these menial tasks every day showed supervisors that I consistently contributed to the mission and had the motivation to be there. They began to instill more trust in my abilities as a young Airman.

There are several ways a person can make his or her deployment a success and contribute to the mission. Always remember to take care of yourself and improve in all aspects of your life. Since people are likely to develop habits, develop a scheduled routine for one week. This will make it easier to get on the same routine for the weeks to follow. Rest also should be a top priority. Getting only five hours of sleep a night is not good for your well-being and will not work, even on a two- to three-month deployment.

Every person joined the Air Force for different reasons. Airmen should know the importance of the deployed mission and should want to do whatever they can to make it a success. Each Air Force member at home station should be preparing to deploy and perform their duties in the deployed environment to the best of his or her ability. Once arriving to the deployed location and realizing how you impact the mission, taking care of oneself is essential toward a successful deployment.