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A Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock. He is a photojournalist with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. The Hampden, Maine native is deployed from the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.

Q: What is your family’s military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: Currently, my twin brother is serving in the Air National Guard in Bangor, Maine. My grandfather served in the Navy in World War II and my grandmother served with the Marines.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: My mission at the 386th is to tell the stories of our service members here in the area of responsibility and showcase their hard work and sacrifice to carry out the mission.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission? 
A: The best part of my job is meeting new people and seeing the different jobs they perform. I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the AOR and see the work our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines do every day, each with their own set of challenges, and see how those men and women overcome the day to day challenges to get the job done.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: People tend to be the biggest challenge. Not everyone is happy when a guy with a rather large camera comes to their workplace and starts asking all sorts of questions. I’ve had to learn how to build relations with people ahead of time and try to cater to all personality types, regardless of my own personal thoughts or feelings.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: At home, I mostly work with Air Force personnel and I don’t get to travel. Here in the AOR, I get to work with all branches of the U.S. military as well as coalition partners.

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

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: I think the most unique part of this deployment is the fact that we are working with other nations, each with their own cultures and military traditions.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I never thought I’d actually join any branch of the military, but after running out of money in college and having no job made the Air Force look like a very good option. After being in for six years and seeing the opportunities the Air Force has to offer, I’m happy to say I just re-enlisted for six more years.

(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.)