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Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Kelly Stamelos

  • Published
  • By 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
  • Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Kelly Stamelos. She is a Base Defense Operations Center controller with the 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. The Wright City, Mo., native is deployed from the 7th Security Forces Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

Q: What is your family’s military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: My late grandfather served during the last four years of World War II and retired as a sergeant in the Army. We always shared stories when I would visit home about our experiences in the military, particularly guard duty. We would also share stories about learning our place, as we had both been reprimanded for being obnoxious early in our careers.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: My mission here is to provide immediate armed response to all hostile and non-hostile incidents, control entry, and provide command, control and communication for all responding security forces on base.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part of the mission is definitely helping people out, whether it is my flight, the Airmen, a victim or a complainant. My favorite type of operation is law enforcement because you have the opportunity to exercise discretion more freely versus security where everything is clearly defined in black and white.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: The greatest challenge is maintaining patience while dealing with personnel who are inconvenienced by procedures we enforce to keep them safe. I am typically not a patient person, and sometimes after the fact, I will be bothered by these reactions. My reset button is running. No matter how negative a situation might have been, I will always be positive after a good seven mile run.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: In the deployed environment, I have had several different missions, all unique with their own challenges. As a whole I would say in a deployed environment security forces always have a much more heightened sense of awareness, especially if you are working in a hot zone. The camaraderie is always stronger on flight when deployed, and everyone knows what is going on with everyone.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: I have deployed four times.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: Driving on the highways to and from work every day is pretty unique. I feel like we are the slowest vehicle on the NASCAR Speedway! Vehicles change lanes, slow down, speed up, tailgate, pass on the right, text on cell phones, and drive in two lanes at the same time. We really have to keep our heads on a swivel; it is definitely an adrenaline rush.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I struggled financially when I was in college for criminal justice in 2005 with the hopes of becoming a police officer. I disliked school very much, as I am a tactile learner, and I just want to get out there and do it. After I lost my job and got kicked out of the police explorers in the same week, I refused to give up and knew I wanted something more that I could start immediately. I joined the Air Force the very next day without hesitation.