SOUTHWEST ASIA --
Editor’s note: The
Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of
the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the
mission.
I’m Senior Airman Dylan Goodwin, a 386th Expeditionary Civil
Engineer Squadron Force Protection member.
My home unit is the 55th Comptroller Squadron at Offutt Air
Force Base, Neb. At home station I help Service members with their military pay, Defense Travel Pay
vouchers and deployed entitlements.
As a Force Protection member, I escort, guard and protect
Other Country Nationals inside the base. The Force Protection Flight provides
"inside the wire" security while escorting OCN personnel supporting
civil engineer services and construction contracts. The flight is a diverse group of
approximately 100 Airmen from various career fields who provide safety and
security to coalition forces while denying the enemy data collection
opportunities as well as detecting and preventing insider attacks.
This opportunity has given me a chance to see the Air
Force’s mission and made me a well-rounded Airman. It has also allowed me to
meet people from around the world, and learn about other cultures first hand.
Not only am I learning about different cultures, but I am broadening my
horizons by working with Airmen from other career fields and learning what they
do to fuel the fight.
As my first deployment, I have faced a few challenges.
Working a different shift than I am used to at home station took its toll for
bit, but I was able to overcome it by keeping as much of a schedule as I can.
Another challenge is the culture variances and being mindful of those around me
with different values.
Professionally, I am striving to promote to the rank of Staff
Sergeant. When I return to home station, I plan on working with my supervision
to sign up for Airman Leadership School. In the meantime, I am motivated to
complete my Community College of the Air Force degree.
When I am not at work, I am in the books studying for my
bachelor’s degree in business management. I am about halfway done. I also enjoy
working out, playing basketball, fishing, hunting and various sports.
I joined the Air Force because I wanted to carry on my
family heritage. Three generations have served in the Air Force before me.