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.

A Rock Solid Warrior: Airman 1st Class Jonathan Morrison

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Airman 1st Class Jonathan Morrison. Morrison is a biomedical equipment technician assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group. The Tampa, Fla. native is deployed from the 88th Medical Support Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

In his own words:

Q: What is your family's military heritage?
A: My great-grandfather served in WWII working on submarines with the Navy, and my cousin is currently in Afghanistan with the Marines.

Q: What is your mission here?
A: My mission here is to repair and calibrate medical equipment within the MTF and our supporting units, as well as taking care of our facility.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: My favorite part of my mission is being able to see our patients being treated by medical equipment I have personally calibrated or repaired. I take great pride in seeing this and knowing that our medical equipment is safe for patient use.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: One challenge would have to be As an A1C, being in charge of our facility is an interesting challenge. Back at Wright-Patt, I'm not tasked with something this extensive, so learning the ropes of being a manager and taking on that responsibility has been one of my most difficult challenges to date. I have learned to overcome this by seeking the advice of my supervisors. I knew coming into this position I wouldn't be able to learn the management process and be able to lead certain projects by myself, so receiving counsel from them has helped me overcome my challenges working this new duty position.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: For the junior enlisted back home, we are normally doing technical work out in the field, so having the opportunity to manage our facility is very unique experience.

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

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: This deployment is unique mainly because this is my first overseas tour, and because of the many positions I'm in charge of. I haven't experienced being a team leader for the different areas within the Med Group, so it's a new challenge that I'm excited to take on.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I joined the Air Force for a few reasons. Growing up we didn't have the money to afford a college tuition, so once I found out the opportunities the Air Force provided, I decided it would be the best decision for my education. Also, I have always been a very "hands on" worker from my prior experience working construction, so I found a few careers within the Air Force that met my needs, and once I was tasked with BMET, I knew it was something I could really move forward in. Lastly, I knew whether I was going to be in for six years or twenty, I would find some way to serve. Men and women in uniform have always been a big inspiration of mine when I was a kid, so being able to wear it and earn it is something I'm most proud of.

(The Rock Solid Warrior is a weekly spotlight focused on an outstanding member of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. These unsung heroes have been nominated by their unit leadership to be recognized for their efforts while deployed.)