Southwest Asia --
Southwest Asia --
This week’s Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Michelle Morin from the 386th
Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. Morin supports the Rock community as a
special event, bazaar and spa day coordinator and the NCOIC for the Drop Zone. The
Killeen, Texas native is deployed from the 325th Force Support Squadron at
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
Q: What is your
family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the
military?):
A: I am the first
person in my family to join the military. A few years after I joined the Air
force, one of my younger brothers joined the National Guard and my cousin
joined the Air Force Guard.
Q: What is your
mission here (in general terms)?
A: My mission
here is to provide morale to the base populous. I help coordinate the cultural bazaars,
spa days and events for our sister services and coalition partners. I also
perform duties as the NCOIC for daily Drop Zone operations.
Q: What are some of
the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part
about my mission is seeing people happy and enjoying themselves. For example,
during the Rock Fest Regatta Race, I enjoyed seeing all the people who came out
to support the event. It’s also rewarding when people say, “Thank you” and shake
your hand.
Q: What are some of
the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome
them?
A: A challenge I
face is putting a lot of time into events and knowing that not everybody
appreciates or enjoys them. I overcome this challenge by telling myself I will
never make everyone happy.
Q: How does your job
differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: In the Force Support
Squadron we work many different sections such as recreations, fitness, lodging,
food, readiness and mortuary. At home station I worked as the Food Service
Accountant, and then the Unit Training Manager. At the 386th EFSS, my
job is recreations. I provide the base with morale. Recreation is something we
do at deployed locations, not at home station.
Q: How many times
have you deployed?
A: This is my
third deployment. I have been to Iraq where I worked recreations, to Qatar where
I stepped outside of my career field and worked Force Protection and my current
deployment.
Q: What makes this
deployment unique?
A: This
deployment is unique because it is my first deployment as an NCO. It’s very
different from deploying as an Airman. I am learning so much and love the
experience.
Q: Why did you join
the Air Force?
A: I joined the
Air Force help make a difference.