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.

Rock Solid Warrior: Master Sgt. Manuel Cervantez

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Master Sgt. Manuel Cervantez. He is a flight chief with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. The San Antonio, Texas, native is deployed from the 30th Security Forces Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Q: What is your family’s military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: I have an aunt who is a retired U.S. Air Force major, and my father-in-law served three tours in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine military policeman.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: I manage the best security forces flight in the area of responsibility.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part of my mission is being able to witness highly motivated Airmen in action and being able to be a part of it.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Morale challenges on the home front hit team members the hardest and are the most difficult to assist with, but we pool our experiences together to help our people pull through hard times.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: My Air Force family becomes number one. Sure I communicate with my wife and children back home, but getting my Airmen back home while having served honorably here is priority number one.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my seventh deployment, not counting two remote tours to Osan Air Base.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: This is my first time deployed as a senior non-commissioned officer. It feels good to serve Airmen and provide some top cover as some of my past senior NCO mentors have done for me. There truly is no better job than being a security forces squadron flight chief, and to get to do it while deployed is an honor.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: Would you believe me if I said it was a childhood dream? One day my wife or the Air Force will say it’s time to wake up, but right now I’m living the dream.