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We are all pieces of the puzzle

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Evely Chavez
  • 445th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Although I grew up near a military base, the thought of joining the military never crossed my mind. While I was in high school, my cousin joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and when he returned home from boot camp it seemed as if a new person stood before me. He was my height but seemed to walk taller and proud in his Marine Corps dress blues. I was fascinated by his stories of traveling and, most importantly, the fact that he was part of something bigger than himself.

He noticed my excitement and begged me to join the Marines. Despite his motivating stories, I didn't decide to join the military until three years later, instead I went to college. College was great; I made new friends, played basketball and learned a lot of new things, but had a constant feeling that I wasn't doing enough to contribute to society or helping those in need. I kept thinking about my cousin's stories and sense of pride and as unoriginal as it sounds, it is one of the main reasons why I decided to follow his footsteps and finally join the military. Although I didn't completely follow his lead because I opted out of the Marine Corps suggestion and instead took a turn toward the Air Force.

After seven years in the Air Force, I now have my own stories and experiences to share. I have flown on Navy aircraft, been on a ship out at sea, met the president, shaken hands with comedians and faced some of my many fears. All these opportunities have allowed me to meet many great people who accomplish remarkable things for the Air Force. It makes me proud to be one of many non-commissioned officers who serve in the world's greatest Air Force.

While the service has given me opportunities to grow in all aspects of my life, there are times when I question how my efforts, as a photojournalist, contribute to the mission's success.

I don't think I am the only person who has ever questioned their role in the military. At one point or another, the thought seems to cross many Airmen's minds. As a new Airman and photographer I was taught to do my job 100 percent every day, but was never told the significance of what my contributions were. So, the new Airmen in my office and I walked around naively thinking that all we did for the Air Force was take "cool" photos for people to see.

As my military career progressed, so did my understanding of the integral role everyone has for the mission. Because I have the opportunity to provide imagery and written stories for key audiences, I am able to see how every Airmen makes the Air Force work. I am able to show how the Airmen on the flightline can prepare a jet for take-off in a matter of minutes, how a security forces member can respond to an emergency at a moment's notice or how a young medical specialist helps provide health care for service members. I communicate how hard Airmen work to complete their daily missions set forth by leadership. Although I have the opportunity to show the mission, I still have days when the everyday stuff seems trivial and dull, when I question how my work adds to the Air Force's no-fail mission.

Years later I still hear my peers and Airmen discuss how they feel the things they do in their career field are pointless and meaningless. They talk about how the routine things are only burden their bosses make them do.

It's easy to overlook the importance of our daily jobs, and that we are all a small piece of the big puzzle. And, as cliché as it sounds, no matter how big or small our efforts are, we are the individuals who make the U.S. Air Force. The things we are asked to do, our daily tasks, are the necessary little details that make the big picture.

People outside the military rarely distinguish us by our particular military job, rather they see Airmen as people who are part of the team that helps protect and fights for our country. So, why do some Airmen think that their daily duties do not contribute or impact the Air Force? Sometimes we get shortsighted and fail to see the impacts we make.

While it's simple to forget the significance of our contributions and responsibilities, we must seek that reinforcement not only for ourselves but for the Airmen we supervise. The Airmen who look to me for positivity and encouragement, the ones I write about and take photos of, are what remind me that what I do matters.

The fact of the matter is that we all contribute to the fight. If our roles were unnecessary then our jobs would not exist. Without any of us, the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, our services would not be what they are today.

I don't have any fancy wise words to tell you how important you and your skills are to the Air Force. But, what I can say is that although we all have our own reasons as to why we joined the military, we must never forget what we do day-in and day-out makes the Air Force function. We are all fundamental to the mission, so you matter. Never forget what you represent!

Because I have the opportunity to highlight what our service members do, my work is for them. The photos taken for this commentary are portraits of some of the great people who currently serve at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. I will continue to create these profile photos of service members who are part of history here throughout my deployment.