A contractor's perspective on the Air Force

  • Published
  • By David W. Roberts
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  "Where's Sergeant Thompson?"

"He's TDY until Wednesday at oh-six-hundred, but then he has his PT test, and he starts out-processing next week for his PCS to a new AOR."

"Oh. I thought he was going to help me with the CSAF and SecAF stories, but I guess I'll have to check with my NCOIC to see what the plan is."

"Well, if you need help with the photos, you can call the MAJCOM with the VIRINs, and they should be able to get you the cutlines ASAP."

While this hypothetical conversation may be an exaggeration, it captures the essence of the dialogue I heard on my first day as a contractor for the Air Force News Service at Defense Media Activity-San Antonio.

Prior to my arrival, I was unaccustomed to working with members of the military. As a result, my first days working alongside my Airmen colleagues were both humbling and enlightening.

In addition to my cluelessness about the countless acronyms being constantly bandied about, I was also largely unaware of the sacrifices made by those with whom I was working.

While I had always respected servicemembers' role in protecting our nation, I didn't fully realize that the mission to protect and defend extended at all times to each and every member of the military.

Like many civilians who have seldom crossed paths professionally with men and women in uniform, I always assumed that wars were fought by designated combat troops, with other military members supporting the mission, but otherwise leading "ordinary" quasi-civilian lives. I figured that outside of combat operations, other military members worked 9 to 5 jobs, and went about their day-to-day routines outside the office as any civilian would.

In some regards, this is true. Many servicemembers do work in an office environment similar to their civilian counterparts. They spend time off with friends and family, and are continuously working to grow in their careers.

That said, however, I have learned that the life of a servicemember requires a unique set of challenges and sacrifices not often faced by civilians.

Perhaps the most poignant of these is the fact that many current servicemembers have, at some point in their careers, deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The stories of the dangers, trials and triumphs of deployment, as told by my coworkers and in countless news articles and commentaries read during the course of my daily responsibilities as an editor, have been both touching and heart-wrenching.

Additionally, when servicemembers deploy, they leave behind loved ones and the comforts of home. They spend holidays, birthdays and anniversaries in far-away places, sometimes in dangerous situations and environments, and they do and have done so willingly, so that civilians like me can sleep safely at night without fear.

Moreover, in addition to the challenges of deployment, I have learned that servicemembers also face a unique set of circumstances at home.

For instance, when my work day is finished, my time is essentially my own until the start of the next work day. However, for military members, the duty day never ends. Servicemembers are on duty 24/7, and as a result, they must be prepared to report to work whenever they are needed. This means that they face restrictions on conduct, travel and personal freedom that those of us in the civilian world often take for granted.

As a result of this constant dedication, our homeland is safe, and our nation remains strong.

Because of this, I am both privileged and proud to have the opportunity to work beside my Airmen counterparts, and to gain a perspective on both the Air Force and the greater U.S. military that many civilians may never encounter. Each day on the job is a learning experience, and the more I learn, the more I am able to contribute, within my function, to the Air Force's mission, which in a small way is my mission.

This mission has changed the way I think.

Where I previously seldom noticed Air Force planes in the sky, I now try to identify them.

Where the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan used to be news stories on television, now I sit up and take a personal interest in what is going on there and how it affects our men and women in uniform.

And, where I used to bristle at the copious use of acronyms, I now use them on a regular basis, though I sometimes forget that DEERS does not refer to an animal, and OIC is not an expression to indicate understanding.

Most importantly, though, I appreciate the men and women of the U.S. military for their hard work and dedication.

Thank you for your service.