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 Tech. Sgt. Carlos Alvarado, the 386th Expeditionary
Medical Squadron medical administration services noncommissioned officer in
charge.
My home unit is the 96th Medical Operation Squadron at Eglin
Air Force Base, Fla. At home station I'm the office manager for the Family
Residency Clinic, which mainly involves schedule management for approximately
50 in-residency providers and booking appointments.
With the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, I oversee
coordination of aeromedical evacuations and patient transfers, command support
staff duties and security manager duties. I also provide computer support for
all medical systems and manage servers that allow real-time access to medical
health records, the ability to take and store x-rays and retrieve reports from
other facilities and order all medical supplies. I am also I'm charge of the Unit Control
Center during activation.
This deployment has given me the good fortune of working
with a good team and our coalition partners. My team has challenged me by sharing
different viewpoints in various situations, which has improved my
problem-solving skills. Even though I attended additional training to
familiarize myself with all the medical software used in this facility, I am
not an expert on resolving all issues that may arise. My leadership and our communication focal
point have provided help through support and guidance..
Professionally, I am striving to promote to the rank of
Master Sergeant. I am also aiming to become a Professional Military Education
instructor. Likewise as an NCO, I am always trying to figure out different
approaches to leadership and improve as a public speaker.
Within the next year I plan on completing my bachelor’s
degree in computer science. Shortly thereafter I plan on starting my master’s
degree in a related field.
In my spare time I enjoy traveling, drawing, running,
attending live music events and spending time with friends. I enjoy running
marathons and ultra-marathons. I have completed two 30-mile, two 50-mile and
one 100-mile ultra-marathons. I hope to be stationed somewhere in Europe to
continue my dream of traveling.
I joined the Air Force after witnessing the 9/11
attack in New York. At the time I was living in Queens, N.Y. After watching an
airplane hit the second tower, my heart plummeted to my stomach. I knew then we
were being attacked and felt helpless. Instead of continuing the feeling of
helplessness, I joined the Air Force to serve my country.