 |
| News > Commentary - Air Force lives promise of teamwork |
|
Air Force lives promise of teamwork
Posted 7/13/2011
Email story
Print story
Commentary by Margaret Breihan
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
7/13/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Two days after graduating from American University in May, I came to the Pentagon with a new suit jacket, two forms of identification and a sense of nervous anticipation, ready to start my summer internship.
As part of the workforce recruitment program, my résumé was among many in a database of qualified people with disabilities who are eager to bring their talents and abilities to the federal workforce.
The combination of past writing experience, a good grade point average and a bit of luck led those at Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs to offer me a summer internship.
Predictably, I got lost on my way to get a pass into the Pentagon. As I began to worry about being late on my first day, a man wearing an Air Force wing pin, a flight jacket and an understanding smile offered me some much needed help.
Unfortunately, after delivering me to the correct people, this kind stranger disappeared before I could ask his name. That encounter has, in many ways, defined my experience at the Pentagon. Whether they're on the cleaning staff, carrying supplies and trash cans, or two-star generals, people in the Pentagon have never failed to help me or give directions when I've asked.
When I'm not getting lost in the hallways, I've had the good fortune to work with many hard-working, friendly people.
This is my third internship, and every time I've started, I've feared my coworkers might not include me. This would be a reasonable decision on their part since an intern is temporary, someone to train and then let go.
But since arriving here, I've found I need not have feared. From day one, my teammates have welcomed me with acceptance, humor and even a Friday, after-hours office party, which did not include karaoke, thank goodness!
People here have consistently treated me with respect, even when the adaptive technology I need in order to work was delayed in arriving. My coworkers even understood when my power wheelchair broke down and I needed to telecommute for a few days. The team has been very supportive of all my physical and learning disabilities, providing anything I need to enhance my experience here.
And on those occasions I did need to wait for my special equipment, I was given Air Force magazines that would later give me ideas for feature articles to write for the Air Force website.
I've had the opportunity to interview people like Larry Hawkins, a Pentagon education service officer who works to ensure Airmen can take advantage of the educational opportunities they've earned through their service. Or Lt .Col. David Sanford, who after multiple deployments to Afghanistan, helped organize a clothing drive to benefit the orphans of that country. It's an honor to write stories that bring attention to all the hard work people do to strengthen the Air Force and military.
The opportunities for me to learn and improve here have been many and varied. Being a literature major and communication minor in college, I've heard the term "constructive criticism" quite a lot. My coworkers, by their example, however, have taught me its true meaning. While they edit my work, they explain the changes and offer encouragement.
They've even let me pitch and develop my own ideas for feature stories.
When my first published story about volunteer Airmen cleaning up tornado debris appeared on the Air Force website, my coworkers and family cheered. Here's what makes me happiest: seeing that article and others like it prove that my hard work is valued, that I can help and inform Airmen and that my coworkers take me seriously.
These are the best things about my internship. So when people ask me about my experience here, I naturally respond, "Go Air Force!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
