Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine

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Volume 73 No. 2                                                        April 2021

Behind the Braids
Reservists play key role in first women's
hair policy change in 70 years

                  Official Magazine of the Air Force Reserve
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
From the Top                                                                  @ AFRCCommander                                                            Chief’s View                                                                     @ AFRC.CCC

                              DEVELOPING RESILIENT LEADERS                                                                                             RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING RESILIENT LEADERS
      We will identify, develop and retain leaders who combine emotional intellect with the innate                                                 We must develop leaders with the appropriate tools to create and sustain an environment
      characteristics required to win in future operating environments. These leaders must be able                                                 in which all Airmen can reach their full potential, valuing the many aspects of diversity within
      to operate independently, build trust in their units, and create an environment that enables                                                 our Air Force. Airmen who do not or cannot reflect these and the related attributes we value
      Airmen to take smart risks and generate combat power.                                                                                        fall short of being the future Air Force leaders we require.
                                                                 - AFRC Vision, Mission and Priorities                                                                                   - General Charles Q. Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Heroes of the Air Force Reserve:              state and local agencies, and develop         organization. Mutual trust creates an              Developing resilient leaders can be complex. There is not a
    As a command team, one of our             tailored guidance to balance the need         environment in which we can have candid         single solution or program that can mass produce the caliber of
strategic priorities is to focus on how we    to protect the health of Reserve Citizen      discussions about how to better perform         leaders we need to win in a competitive environment. Since I
develop resilient leaders. We recognize       Airmen and their families while meeting       the mission. Trust breeds empowerment.          became your command chief two years ago, Lieutenant General
the importance of leaders who have a          mission readiness requirements. In future     Empowerment with good judgment                  Scobee and I have worked tirelessly to provide the resources to
high degree of emotional intelligence at      environments with potentially contested       allows leaders at each level to take smart      units that will set the conditions for success for this strategic
all levels, as technical competence alone     communications, the ability to assess         risks to test new ideas. Given the rapid        priority. We have also been fortunate to hear from many of you
will not guarantee our future success.        complex situations, collaborate locally and   pace of technological evolution, game           out in the field on your approach to leadership development.
Emotionally intelligent leaders are highly    continue to execute the mission will be       changing innovations are likely to come            The most important part of leadership is learning how to
motivated and inspire those around them       invaluable.                                   from our most junior personnel who              lead yourself. Comprehensive Airman Fitness is one way to
to overcome adversity. They have a high          When reflecting on the lessons             have the deepest experience with new            understand how we lead ourselves. This model has four pillars:             Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White poses with some of Air Force Reserve
degree of self-awareness, recognizing         learned over the course of his 100 years      technology. Resilient leaders are aware of      mental, physical, social and spiritual. You can think of these             Command's resilient leaders at AFRC headquarters, Robins Air Force
their own limitations and blind spots.        of life, former Secretary of State George     this inherent strength in their teams and       pillars like the four legs of a chair. If these pillars are a little out   Base, Georgia.
They are guided by empathy, aware             Shultz once wrote “Trust is fundamental,      have the humility to accept that they may       of balance, you’ll probably wobble a little, but if they’re really out
of how their interactions affect those        reciprocal and pervasive. If present,         not always have the best solution.              of balance you’ll wind up on the floor. As a command team, we              significant backlog of students waiting for the Chief Orientation
around them. Finally, they have the social    anything is possible. If it is absent,           Recently, during a meeting with              want to ensure that you and your units have the right tools to             Course. Many of our Professional Development Center courses
skills necessary to build resilient teams     nothing is possible.”                         several Air Force Reserve senior leaders,       help with these pillars.                                                   have also been redesigned to focus on developing resilient
based on mutual trust. Each of these             Trust is the glue that holds together      I had the opportunity to listen to several         The pandemic has caused disruptions to our fitness                      leaders. We have also shifted our NCO Academy and Senior
components of emotional intelligence          everything we do. Our nation trusts us to     junior Reserve Airmen brief their ideas         assessments and our fitness routines and as an Air Force, we are           NCO Academy delivery to the virtual environment. Each of
is essential to leading in the Air Force      deliver winning capabilities whenever and     on developing resilient leaders. They           rethinking how we assess fitness. We are actively engaged in               these courses has had some degree of curriculum redesign with
Reserve.                                      wherever they are needed. We trust our        presented bold new ideas for changing           developing ways to better assess fitness holistically, examining           the goal of helping leaders build trust within their organizations
    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force       leaders to set the conditions for success     how we better identify and develop              both physical and mental fitness, as we prepare to roll out a              and make their units more resilient.
highlighted key characteristics of future     in our organization to the best of their      resilient leaders within our organization.      revamped program designed to more accurately assess overall                   The boss and I have been fortunate enough to safely resume
operating environments in Accelerate          abilities. We trust our fellow Reserve        Change often comes from the bottom up.          fitness.                                                                   some of our travel. We have been in awe of every Reserve
Change or Lose. The forces shaping our        Citizen Airmen to execute the mission.        As a command team, we embraced many                We have also worked on getting the necessary manpower                   Citizen Airman we meet. We are especially thankful to those of
future include declining resources and           Each of those elements of trust:           of their ideas.                                 authorizations to provide more full-time chaplains and first               you who have stepped forward to work on scalable grassroots
aggressive global competitors, along          between the nation and our organization,         The command chief and I are proud to         sergeants. We are in the process of building out our religious             solutions to develop resilient leaders across the command. We all
with rapid technology development             between our people and their leaders, and     serve with each of you and look forward         support teams across our host unit wings to provide full-time              have had a challenging year due to the pandemic. Each of you
and diffusion. Given that any one of          between each other, can be undermined         to the future that resilient leaders bring to   support to the spiritual fitness pillar. We are also finalizing our        has been there for at least one of your teammates during this
these elements can drive uncertainty, it      by the presence of extremism in our           every corner of the Air Force Reserve. ■       hiring for full-time first sergeants, who will serve as our local          difficult time; and each of you make us proud to serve in the Air
is essential that we continue to identify,    organization. The Department of                                                               Comprehensive Airman Fitness champions, helping Reserve                    Force Reserve.                                                   ■
train and educate leaders who can adapt       Defense’s ongoing Extremism Stand                                                             Citizen Airmen access helping services, regardless of their status.
to, navigate through and thrive in volatile   Down is the first step to addressing                                                          We have also worked on refining our Key Spouse program,
environments.                                 extremism within the ranks. Throughout                                                        which helps to build connections between our Reserve Citizen
    We have already seen the value            this ongoing process, resilient leaders                                                       Airmen’s families and their units.
of leaders who are able to operate            will be crucial to strengthening teams by                                                        Along with investments in additional manpower, we
independently. The COVID-19 pandemic          enhancing trust.                                                                              have fundamentally changed the way in which we deliver
                                                                                              RICHARD W. SCOBEE                                                                                                            TIMOTHY C. WHITE JR.
clearly demonstrated how local leadership        Innovation cannot exist without              Lieutenant General, USAF                      professional military education. The pandemic forced us to                     Chief Master Sergeant, USAF
can integrate threat information in a         trust. Leaders at all levels must vet (not      Chief of Air Force Reserve                    rethink our training delivery, pushing several of our Professional             Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve
rapidly evolving situation, partner with      veto) ideas to continually improve our          Commander, Air Force Reserve Command          Development Center courses online. This enabled us to clear a                  Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Reserve Command

2 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          April 2021 // 3
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
www.citamn.afrc.af.mil                                                                  Table of CONTENTS                                                                                                                                                                                     Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chief of Staff, United States Air Force

                            Volume 73 No. 2 // April 2021                                             FEATURED STORIES                                                                                             NEWS & PEOPLE                                                                                          Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Commander, Air Force Reserve Command

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            06
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Col. Beth Horine
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Behind the Braids                                                                                       Director, Public Affairs,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reservists help change women's hair policy                                                              Air Force Reserve Command

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            09
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Magazine Staff
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Going Virtual                                                                                          Bo Joyner
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Editor, Public Affairs,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HQ ARPC introduces monthly evaluations training courses                                                 Air Force Reserve Command

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            12
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Anthony Burns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A New Level of Realism                                                                                   Graphic Designer, Public Affairs,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Luke Reservists ramp up combat casualty training                                                        Air Force Reserve Command

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            15
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Contributing Writers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Pegasus Proficient                                                                                      Master Sgt. Chance Babin, Ed Butac, Tech. Sgt.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Aeromedical Reservists receive initial KC-46A training                                                   Iram Carmona, Senior Master Sgt. Ted Daigle,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Laura Fitzmorris, Master Sgt. Kelly Goonan, Col.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            16
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Kjäll Gopaul, Senior Airman Kristen Pittman and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Personnel Changes Are Coming                                                                            Tech. Sgt. Courtney Richardson
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reservists urged to claim their AFIPPS account in 2021                                                  Citizen Airman magazine (ISSN No. 0887-9680)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          is published bi-monthly by Headquarters Air Force
Senior Airman Kristen Pittman

                                                                                                                                   Tech. Sgt. David D. Morton
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            18
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Reserve Command Office of Public Affairs for the
                                                                                                                                                                                                              The Globemaster                                                                                             commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

                                                  10                                                         22                                                                        28
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reservists reflect as C-17 fleet reaches four million flying hours                                      Periodical postage paid at Warner Robins, Georgia,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          and additional mailing offices. Copies are mailed, free
                                                                     Courtesy photo

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of charge, to the homes of all Reservists. Content is
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  It Can Be Done                                                                                          normally news articles and features developed for
                                                                                                                                                                                                               The sky is the limit for med tech-turned pilot                                                             release to commercial media as part of the Air Force
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Reserve’s continuing public affairs program. Opinions

                            Still Answering                                       The Future       Shoot for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            25
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of contributors are not necessarily those of the Air
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A New Capability                                                                                         Force Reserve. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          unless otherwise indicated. Readers-per-copy ratio:
                            the Call                                              Work Environment the Stars                                                                                                      920th Rescue Wing executes first joint high-speed, air-to-air refuel                                    4-1. Send inquiries and submissions to HQ AFRC/PAO,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            26
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          155 Richard Ray Blvd., Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661.
                            More aeromed specialists deploy                       Reserve team trying to determine                                          Resilient and motivated leader                        Learning by Doing                                                                                       Or, email them to HQAFRC.PAO.Operations@us.af.mil.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          For questions about the magazine or its contents, call
                            to support pandemic                                   what tomorrow's 'office' will look like                                   encourages goal setting in 2021                       Reserve recruiters participate in joint air operations                                                  (478) 327-1771 or DSN 497-1771.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            31
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Moving? PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHANGES OF
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A Page of its Own                                                                                       ADDRESS TO CITIZEN AIRMAN. To continue receiving
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  New HQ RIO website makes it easier to serve                                                             the magazine, unit Reservists, as well as people
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          serving a statutory tour of duty, should send a change
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of address to their military personnel flight or unit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          orderly room. Individual mobilization augmentees
                                                                                                    ON THE COVER:                                                                                           Master Sgt.Louis Vega Jr.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          should call the Total Force Service Center-Denver
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          toll free at 1-800-525-0102 or DSN 665-0102.
                                                             Reserve Citizen Airmen have been instrumental in helping bring about                                                                                                                                    Capt. Scott Balak, Buckeye Fire Department
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          POSTMASTER: Please send all Forms 3579 to Citizen
                                                     the first major change in the Air Force’s women’s hair policy since the late 1940s.                                                                                                                             SWAT medic, shows an infusion needle to 944th
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Airman, HQ AFRC/PAO, 155 Richard Ray Blvd., Robins
                                                                        For the story, see page 6. (Chief Master Sgt. Jaimee Freeman)                                                                                                                                Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen during           AFB, GA 31098-1661.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Luke
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Air Force Base, Arizona. For more on the training,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     see story on page 12.

                            Chief of Air Force Reserve’s                                  Priority 1: Prioritize strategic depth
                                                                                                                                                                    Priority 2: Develop resilient leaders                               Priority 3: Reform the organization    Look for these icons for stories that                  A publication by the
                                                                                                      and accelerate readiness
                            Strategic Priorities                                                      #ReserveReady
                                                                                                                                                                                #ReserveResilient                                                   #ReserveReform             focus on these three priorities.                       U.S. Air Force Reserve
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
Behind the Braids
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Research conducted by the Woment's Initiative Team and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       the Warrior Braids Project showed that the old women's
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       hair policy had a negative effect on both operational and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       medical readiness. (Chief Master Sgt. Jaimee Freeman)

   Lt. Gen. Mary F. O’Brien,deputy chief of staff for
   Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber
   Effects Operations, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        didn’t support a culture of inclusion for almost a
   Force JoAnne S. Bass stand in front of a group of female
   Airmen demonstrating the Air Force’s new hair policy for                                                                                                                                                             quarter of our Total Force Airmen.”
   women in front of the Air Force Memorial. (Master Sgt.                                                                                                                                                                  Thousands of women across the Air Force
   Grant Langford)                                                                                                                                                                                                      provided feedback to the WIT and Warrior Braids.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Many said that constraints to hair grooming
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        standards resulted in damage to hair, migraines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        and, in some cases, hair loss.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           When the time came to seek senior leader
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        support for a new women’s hair policy, one of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Nadeem’s first stops was Air Force Reserve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Command headquarters.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           “As a Reservist, my first thought was to find out
                                                                                                                                       I talked to my wife (who also serves in the Air Force and was     what General Scobee and Chief White thought,” she said.
                                                                                                                                       deployed at the time) about this, she told me she was actually       Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee is the chief of the Air Force Reserve
                                                                                                                                       considering getting out of the Air Force because of the same      and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. Chief Master
                                                                                                                                       problems. I had no idea it was such a problem for my wife and     Sgt. Timothy White is AFRC’s command chief master sergeant
                                                                                                                                       countless other women throughout the Air Force.”                  and Scobee’s senior enlisted advisor.
                                                                                                                                          Lind and his wife, Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn Lind, started the           “I wholeheartedly supported the WIT’s efforts to reform the
                                                                                                                                       Warrior Braids Project in hopes of bringing about a change to     Air Force hair policy for women,” Scobee said. “It’s imperative
                                                                                                                                       the Air Force’s women’s hair policy. Lind interviewed hundreds    that we implement policies which account for all genders,
                                                                                                                                       of women and started working with his various chains of           ethnicities and backgrounds while ensuring leaders continue to
                                                                                                                                       command to try and bring about a change to the policy, with       foster a culture of inclusiveness. The time was definitely right to
                                                                                                                                       varying degrees of success. Lind said a number of fellow Airmen   change the outdated hair policy for women serving in the Air
                                                                                                                                       have been critical to Warrior Braids efforts over the years,      Force.”

Reservists play key role in first women's hair
                                                                                                                                       including Capt. Hailey Garrett, 1st Lt. Natasha Monroe, Master       “To me, this was a no-brainer,” White said. “As a father
                                                                                                                                       Sgt. Ashley McCarthy and Senior Airman Emily Stanley-Cruz.        of two daughters, I could see how the old policy could be a
                                                                                                                                          In 2019, Lind and Warrior Braids joined forces with the        potential barrier for young women interested in joining the
policy change in 70 years                                                                                                              WIT in hopes of accelerating a change in
                                                                                                                                       policy.
                                                                                                                                          “We had a lot of great data and the
By Bo Joyner                                                                                                                           WIT had a lot of great contacts, so our
                                                                                                                                       partnership was critical to getting the
   Reserve Citizen Airmen have been instrumental in helping         “The Women’s Initiative Team works to remove barriers for          change approved,” he said.
bring about the first major change in the Air Force’s women’s    Airmen so they can continue to serve successfully and uses a             In addition to Lind, Nadeem said Capt.
hair policy since the late 1940s.                                common-sense approach to change outdated policies,” she said.         Sarah Berheide and 1st. Lt. Montana
   As an outcome of the 101st Air Force uniform board, Air       “The women’s hair policy has been on the WIT’s radar for a            Pellegrini have been instrumental in the
Force women can now wear their hair in up to two braids or a     number of years.”                                                     WIT’s efforts to advocate for a change to
single ponytail with bulk not exceeding the width of the head       Nadeem said active-duty Master Sgt. Johnathon “JB” Lind            the women’s hair policy.
and length not extending below a horizontal line running         deserves a lot of the credit for bringing problems with the old          “Our research and the research done
between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through   hair policy into the limelight and tirelessly working toward a        by Master Sgt. Lind showed that the old
the shoulder blades. In addition, women’s bangs may now touch    solution.                                                             policy actually had a negative effect on
their eyebrows, but not cover their eyes.                           “For me, this all started in 2016 when I had a very courageous     both operational and medical readiness,”
   These new changes went into effect upon publication of the    young Airman who came to me and told me about all the                 Nadeem said. “In addition, the policy
new standards in Air Force Instruction 36-2903 Feb. 10.          problems she was experiencing from having to wear her hair in
   Maj. Alea Nadeem, a Reserve Citizen Airman who serves as      a tight bun all the time,” Lind, who currently serves as the NCO         The changes to the Air Force's women's hair
the leader of the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team, played a    in charge of air traffic control training for the 4th Fighter Wing,    policy are the first major updates since the late
key role in bringing about the hair policy change.               Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, said. “When             1940s. (Chief Master Sgt. Jamiee Freeman)

6 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             April 2021 // 7
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
Air Force, and I could see how it was contrary to the culture of            board announced that the Air Force would be changing its
diversity and inclusion we are constantly striving for.”                    women’s hair standards.
   Scobee and White immediately wrote a letter to the Air                      In announcing the policy change, Air Force senior leaders
Force Uniform Board in support of women’s hair policy reform,               expressed their support for the new standards.
saying that the proposed changes would “mitigate safety, medical               “In addition to the health concerns we have for our Airmen,
and operational risks, while fostering a culture of inclusion               not all women have the same hair type, and our hair standards
within the Department of the Air Force.”                                    should reflect our diverse force,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the
   “Eventually, we got letters of support from seven of the                 Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “I am pleased we could make this
nine major command commanders and more than 40 wing                         important change for our women service members.”
commanders,” Nadeem said. “Having the support of General                       Nadeem is serving in an Active Guard Reserve position as
Scobee and Chief White from the beginning was critical to our               a Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison with the
success.”                                                                   Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Directorate.
   With the backing of dozens of commanders and years of
research and data in hand, the team made its case to the Air
                                                                            She volunteered to be part of the WIT in 2015 while serving on
                                                                            active duty. In 2017, she was asked to lead the team.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       HQ ARPC introduces monthly
Force uniform board in November 2020. In late January, the                     “We have more than 600 active-duty, Reserve, Guard and                                                                                                  evaluations training courses
Thousands of women across the Air Force provided feedback regarding the hair standards. Many said that constraints to hair grooming standards resulted                                                                                    The Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center’s
                                                                                                                                                         Members of the Women’s Initiative Team pose for a photo during the
in damage to hair, migraines and, in some cases, hair loss. (Chief Master Sgt. Jaimee Freeman)
                                                                                                                                                         initial photo shoot illustrating the Air Force’s new hair policy for women.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       evaluations branch hosted virtual training sessions for more
                                                                                                                                                         The WIT was instrumental in bringing about the change. From left              than 1,000 service members and civilian employees during
                                                                                                                                                         to right are: Maj. Megan Biles, Maj. Alea Nadeem, Lt. Col. Jessica            the first quarter of calendar year 2021. The training has
                                                                                                                                                         Ruttenber, Lt. Col. Kathryn Gaetke and Lt. Col. Kimberly Smith.               consisted of an in-depth review of the Air Force Forms 910,
                                                                                                                                                         (Master Sgt. Grant Langford)                                                  911, 912 and 707.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          In previous years, evaluations team members facilitated
                                                                                                                                                         civilian volunteers serving on the WIT,” she said. “We are                    training on-site at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, but
                                                                                                                                                         constantly striving to improve the lives of Airmen and their                  due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the course
                                                                                                                                                         families by working with Air Force leaders to make policy                     transitioned to the virtual environment. The benefit of the
                                                                                                                                                         changes. The new women’s hair standards are a big win for the                 virtual training is that, instead of roughly 20 members
                                                                                                                                                         Women’s Initiative Team and the Department of the Air Force.”                 attending the training, HQ APRC can accommodate an
                                                                                                                                                            “I think this just goes to show what you can do if you don’t               audience of more than 10 times the previous size. HQ
                                                                                                                                                         give up,” Lind said. “If you believe what you are doing is the                ARPC also provides videos of the training on the ARPC
                                                                                                                                                         right thing, keep on pushing. You can make a difference.”                     YouTube page and DVIDS for those unable to attend or who
                                                                                                                                                         #ReserveReady #ReserveReform #ReserveResilient                 ■             want to refer back to review the content.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          HQ ARPC will continue hosting monthly virtual training
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       sessions throughout the year. The training will be accessible
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       on Microsoft Teams. The training courses will provide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       valuable content for all Airmen, but commander's support
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       staff and military personnel flight personnel responsible for
                                                                                                                                                         As an outcome of the 101st Air Force uniform board, Air Force women
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       assisting with routing evaluations are especially encouraged
                                                                                                                                                         are now able to wear their hair in up to two braids or a single ponytail
                                                                                                                                                         with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending        to attend. The next training course is scheduled for May 19
                                                                                                                                                         below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at      at 11 a.m. Moutain Standard Time and will cover referral
                                                                                                                                                         the under arm through the shoulder blades.                                    enlisted performance reports.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          In addition to the training courses, the evaluations team
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       can also assist with questions via myPers. HQ ARPC does
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       not recommend contacting members directly for assistance as
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       it becomes difficult for other technicians to see transactions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       and notes outside of the myPers console.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Announcements regarding upcoming training dates, topics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       and log-in information will be distributed through AFRC/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A1 communication channels and the HQ ARPC public
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       affairs office. Be sure to like HQ ARPC on Facebook for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       the latest updates on these virtual courses and all personnel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       matters impacting the Air Force Reserve.                      ■

8 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    April 2021 // 9
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
Still
                    Answering
                      the Call
               More                          1
                                                                           2
           aeromed
          specialists                                                                                                                                                                                                            4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 5
              deploy
          to support
          pandemic

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3
                                                                                                                                          1. Senior Airman Emilie Canlas, flight medic for the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, awaits the cue to raise the litter during a pre-
       Story and Photos by                                                                                                                deployment exercise at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi in January. 2. Capt. Toya Williams, 36th AES flight nurse, and Canlas work together to
             Senior Airman                                                                                                                secure a patient's litter. 3. Williams tends to a patient as part of her pre-deployment training. 4. Senior Airman Madison Ross, 36th AES flight medic,
                                                                                                                                          goes over a patient checklist with Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Staut, operations support flight chief for the 36th AES, before an aeromedical evacuation
            Kristen Pittman                                                                                                               training flight. 5. Staut briefs a crew of flight nurses and medics during pre-deployment training.

   The 36th Aeromedical Evacuation           squadron, “but I think this is a great       harmful airborne agents. They will also         life support whereas we’re more focused                A traditional Reservist who works as            transporting of patients with various
Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base,            opportunity.”                                spend time familiarizing themselves with        on basic life support,” said Comeaux.              a travel nurse in the Los Angeles area as           illnesses and injuries.
Mississippi, has been called upon once          While at their deployed locations,        the various levels of personal protective       “We’re more involved with configuring              a civilian, Williams said her family's and              “Our AE experts were some of the
again to deploy personnel to multiple        the Airmen will do their part to safely      equipment they will use during missions         the aircraft and running the mission,              employer's support is what keeps her in             very first Airmen nationwide to deploy
locations in support of the fight against    transfer and care for COVID-19               and how to properly don all of its              granted they do take part in that aspect           good spirits and excited as she prepares to         in the fight against COVID,” said Col.
COVID-19.                                    patients as they are moved from remote       elements.                                       too. It’s just important that they are able        assist transferring and caring for patients         Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing
   In 2020, the squadron sent nine           locations and/or hospitals that cannot          “It’s exciting to put all of this training   to focus more on the clinical, patient-care        all over the European and African                   commander. “But since the job is not
volunteers out the door to various           accommodate their medical needs to           we’ve been doing to use in real-life            applications of the mission.”                      Command areas of responsibility.                    yet done, we’ll continue to mobilize our
locations. Recently, six more Reserve        hospitals that can effectively treat them.   situations,” said Ross. “It’s also nerve-           One member providing that advanced                 In addition to the six deploying to             medical Reserve Citizen Airmen to take
Citizen Airmen deployed to Travis Air           The three said they feel confident the    wracking because it’s not your friend           capacity of care is Capt. Toya Williams,           support COVID-19 operations, the unit               care of their fellow Americans until this
Force Base, California, and Ramstein Air     Air Force has prepared them and they         acting as a patient. You’re actually making     36th AES flight nurse, who will be                 has eight more members who recently                 pandemic is over.” #ReserveReady
Base, Germany, for six months.               will become even more capable as they        a difference and potentially saving lives.”     providing her capabilities to the 10th             deployed to Travis and Ramstein as well                 (Pittman is assigned to the 403rd Wing
   Among those deploying were first-         arrive at their deployment locations and        Bernal, Comeaux and Ross will be             Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation               as Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and                public affairs office.)                   ■
timers Senior Airman Joseph Bernal,          receive mission-specific training.           working alongside other flight medics           Flight at Ramstein.                                Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, said Lt. Col.
Senior Airman Chris Comeaux and                 Part of that training is becoming         as well as flight nurses, as a typical crew         “What we’re doing is so important,”            Rosalind Johnson, 36th AES director of
Senior Airman Madison Ross, all flight       acquainted with the Negative Pressure        consists of three medics and two nurses.        said Williams. “We’ve got to get these             operations. While these individuals have
medics.                                      Conex, said Bernal. The NPC is a vessel         Comeaux described the role of medics         people where they need to be, so they can          not been tasked specifically for COVID-
   “Generally, it’s rare for us to deploy,   inside the aircraft designed to allow        as being “extensions of the flight nurses.”     get back to their jobs, be healthy and be          19 support, their deployments will
especially just coming out of training,”     treatment for infectious disease patients       “Flight nurses are registered nurses, so     with their families. That aspect is what           most likely entail transporting COVID
said Bernal, a relative newcomer to the      while protecting those outside of it from    they’re trained in more advanced stages of      I’m excited about.”                                patients on top of a typical deployment’s

10 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           April 2021 // 11
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
After studying patient care and deaths over the past few years,       To help with this aspect of the training, the ASTS reached

A New Level of Realism
                                                                                                                                          the Defense Health Agency determined that almost 90% of all            out to the 944th Security Forces Squadron and acquired
                                                                                                                                          combat deaths occur before the injured person reaches a medical        paintball guns to replicate a live-fire environment.
                                                                                                                                          treatment facility.                                                       To take the training a step further, Smith’s team coordinated
                                                                                                                                              “We learned that a large portion of those deaths were              with Techline Technologies Inc.

Luke Reservists ramp up combat casualty training
                                                                                                                                          preventable,” Smith said. “The two biggest causes of death were           “Technline Technologies offers trauma simulation equipment
                                                                                                                                          hemorrhaging and airway obstruction.” TCCC focuses on how              to help in the training process for the military, law enforcement,
                                                                                                                                          to reduce the number of preventable deaths.                            fire departments and medical responders,’ said Jay Hibberd,
                                                                                                                                              “During the three-day course, participants learn the three         the company’s business development specialist and director of
                                                                                                                                          phases of care: care under fire, tactical field care and tactical      training.
By Tech. Sgt. Courtney Richardson                                                                                                         evacuation,” said Master Sgt. Lysa Busalacchi, 944th ASTS                 Techline has a mobile training unit that provides everything
                                                                                                                                          NAEMT site coordinator. “Students practice learned skills in           from basic life saving techniques to courses like TCCC.
   Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 944th Fighter Wing’s                  “The Air Force is phasing out what we know as Self-Aid and       static stations, where our goal is to emulate realism. This includes      “We brought our ‘TOMManikin’ to the training,” Hibberd
Aeromedical Staging Squadron took combat casualty training            Buddy Care and moving into TCCC,” said Capt. Breck Smith,           utilizing pork tracheas for advanced surgical airway training,         said. “It is a breathing, bleeding, talking, articulating 185-pound
to a new level of realism during a January training event at Luke     the officer in charge of the joint medical operations training      chicken legs for simulated intraosseous (bone) infusions and           mannequin that we control through a tablet.”
Air Force Base, Arizona.                                              initiative.                                                         racks of ribs to simulate needle decompression techniques.”               “It’s one thing to learn something on a PowerPoint,” Smith
   The 944th ASTS is certified by the National Association of            The transition comes after evaluating the needs of the               After learning new techniques, the students are put to the test    said. “It’s totally different performing your task on a mannequin
Emergency Medical Technicians to provide Tactical Combat              military over the past several years.                               during a field exercise on the final day of training.                  that is giving you direct feedback. When you perform the task
Casualty Care training. TCCC is designed to use evidence-                “SABC is basic first aid, and at the time, that was OK,” Smith       “TCCC means care under fire, which means we conduct the            correctly, you can see the result first-hand, all while under fire.”
based practices to provide life saving measures and trauma            said. “But, TCCC is an adaption of what we are learning from        training under fire,” Smith said. “As nurses, when we deploy,
management strategies in battlefield conditions.                      war. The easiest way to think of it is that TCCC means taking       we are noncombatants under the Geneva Convention, but we
   The squadron has been facilitating this training since 2012        care of patients while getting shot at.”                            still have to train with weapons because we have to protect our
and provides the course for all branches of the military as well as                                                                       patients.”
civilian organizations.
                                                                                                                                          Participants of a 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron-led Tactical
                                                                                                                                          Combat Casualty Care training exercise drag a simulated patient
                                                                                                                                          to a safe location while under fire at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
                                                                                                                                          (Tech. Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

12 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                April 2021 // 13
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
Pegasus Proficient
                                                                                                                                                         Aeromedical
                                                                                                                                                         Reservists
                                                                                                                                                         receive initial
                                                                                                                                                         KC-46A
Left, Capt. Scott Balak, Buckeye Fire Department SWAT medic, shows an intraosseous infusion needle to 944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen
Airmen. (Master Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.) Right, Staff Sgt. Sergio Tosi and Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Neilsen, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron,           training
prepare pork tracheas to be used for advanced surgical airway training (Master Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.)

   One participant said she quickly understood the impact of                    “Having to break the role from medic to security was a lot               By Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona
the training.                                                               easier than I thought it would be because in my mind I am
   “In most of our training, we have been working with basic                still taking care of the patient while I’m holding the weapon,”                  Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to
dummies with imaginary wounds, and the most we could                        she said. “If I move, I endanger everyone behind me who is                   the 433rd Airlift Wing’s Aeromedical
do is talk through what we would do to fix the problem in a                 providing direct patient care. Knowing when to switch and how                Evacuation Squadron, Joint Base San
classroom,” said Staff Sgt. Catelynn Apple, 944th ASTS medical              to effectively do that was a great learning experience for me.”              Antonio-Lackland, Texas, trained for
technician. “In this training, we had the realistic dummies that                In addition to the military members, local law enforcement               the first time aboard a KC-46A Pegasus
were yelling, communicating and bleeding. They only stopped                 specialists and first responders took part in the training as well.          March 8-10, to learn and practice their
bleeding when we did the proper care. It was great hands-on                     Jim Clark, a fire captain and special weapons and tactics                aeromedical skills on the new aircraft.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron personnel respond to a simulated patient emergency
training because we could see if we were doing anything wrong.”             medic from the Buckeye, Arizona, fire department, said training                  The training mission was a                 inside a KC-46A Pegasus. The Reserve Citizen Airmen were conducting initial qualification
   During the field exercise, Airmen were tasked with providing             with people from other agencies was extremely helpful.                       collaboration with the 931st Air               training on the new aircraft. (Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)
security and moving out of a hostile environment in addition to                 “We typically focus a lot of training on our respective                  Refueling Wing, McConnel Air Force
conducting patient care. For some of the medical specialists, this          battlefields, but with the world changing, our battlefields are              Base, Kansas, aeromedical evacuation               A 433rd AES technician, Tech. Sgt.             Lt. Col. Ronald A. Deregla, 433rd
was challenging.                                                            now across the United States,” he said. “This training was real-             personnel and KC-46A technical                 Tristan Thorland, said that some of the         AES chief nurse, said that adding the
   “Our mindset is to go straight to the patient to take care of            life. It reinforced what I know and opened my eyes to something              specialists from other locations, and          things they trained on were the different       KC-46A to the aeromedical evacuation
them, but we have to put in our minds to stop and evaluate the              I lost value in – communication.                                             the Alamo Wing, where more than 20             capabilities the KC-46A offered.                aircraft inventory will provide more
scene, then stabilize the patient enough to move them to a safer                “When I am with my SWAT team, I know what they know.                     medical personnel conducted training in            “In comparing this aircraft to other        capabilities to transport medical patients.
location,” Apple said.                                                      I know their movements and hand signals and they know                        a variety of emergency scenarios on the        aircraft, it’s very comfortable, we don’t          “It’s a great experience for all of us
   She said she had to convince herself that she was still helping          mine. This training made me realize that if I found myself in                ground and in flight.                          have sudden temperature changes and             to learn this… because now we have a
the wounded even when she didn’t actually have hands on the                 a situation while off-duty, I might be rendering care with the                   According to Lt. Col. Terrence             it has all the amenities we need,” said         greater platform to air medivac,” said
patient.                                                                    aid of any other concerned citizen and I wouldn’t know how                   McGee, 4th Air Force KC-46A pilot, this        Thorland. “It’s not as big as a C-17, but       Deregla. “We normally use C-130s,
                                                                            they think. So, communication could save a life. Being in this               training will help provide a more ready        it’s a good aircraft and we’ll probably be      KC-135s, C-5s or C-17s, and now
                                                                            class was perfect for me because I was able to work on my                    and deployable force from the Reserve          using it a lot.”                                we have an addition to give us an
                                                                            communication skills and help extract and treat patients.”                   component.                                         The training included a day                 opportunity to move more patients.”
                                                                                Smith said he had one main goal for the class.                               “For Reserve Command, as far as            familiarization with the aircraft, and two         The 433rd AES mission is to fill the
                                                                                “I hope to provide a whole new level of realism to the                   the number of people, one of the largest       days of in-flight training for medical          need when events like natural disasters,
                                                                            students so that when they go downrange or respond in any                    mission sets is aeromedical evacuation,”       personnel. They practiced the loading and       war or routine medical transportation by
                                                                            emergency situation, they don’t freeze,” he said. “They’ll know              said McGee. “So the mission today              offloading of aeromedical equipment, gear       air is required.
                                                                            what that stress can feel like and the shock value is lessened.              is to support aeromedical evacuation           and supplies, while also simulating caring         The KC-46A is a multi-service aircraft
                                                                            They can let muscle memory take over, making them capable of                 personnel getting an initial qualification     for incapacitated patients.                     that provides next-generation aerial
                                                                            providing patient care as needed.” #ReserveReady                             on the KC-46A. The quicker we can get              Once the aircraft was in flight, medical    refueling support and is multi-mission
                                                                                (Richardson is assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing public affairs         them indoctrinated and familiar with the       technicians practiced responding to             capable. #ReserveReady
                                                                            office.)                                                            ■       equipment, the sooner we can employ it.”       patient medical emergencies, such as               (Carmona is assigned to the 433rd Airlift
                                                                                                                                                             As a multifunctional aircraft, the         in-flight sicknesses, seizures and falls.       Wing public affairs office.)              ■
                                                                                                                                                         KC-46A can refuel military aircraft in         They also simulated scenarios involving
                                                                            Exercise participants assess a simulated patient’s injuries after removing   flight and airlift various loads, to include   cabin decompression and an emergency
                                                                            him from a hostile environment (Tech. Sgt. Courtney Richardson)              passengers, medical patients and cargo.        landing.

14 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 April 2021 // 15
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
Personnel Changes
            Are Coming
     Reservists urged to claim their
     AFIPPS account in 2021

   One of the Air Force’s top priorities is taking care of its      (dependent-related information, for example). If an error is
people. With between 50,000 and 60,000 pay problems a year          identified, the individual can immediately engage in the current
plaguing the force and hindering Airmen from focusing on the        process for correction of their records, thereby guaranteeing the
mission, the service realized there was a big problem.              most accurate information transfers to AFIPPS when it goes
   The Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay System                live in 2022.
(AFIPPS) is designed to resolve the causes of pay errors, while        “The intent is that all Reserve military members are ready and
improving human resources and pay processes for military            go claim their account and review their data by the end of 2021,”
members.                                                            Coumbs said.
   AFIPPS will provide Airmen and Guardians with a                     Phase two, full capability, is scheduled to be delivered in the
modernized, technological solution that includes streamlined        summer of 2022. At that time, registered users will have access
capabilities and time saving features by improving upon             to all AFIPPS capabilities and will be able to see and actively
and expanding the current Military Personnel Data System            engage AFIPPS to deliver timely and accurate personnel and
(MilPDS), adding payroll, workflow and self-service capabilities.   pay actions.
   “The Air Force Reserve force support community is at the            Airmen and Guardians will continue to receive updates as
tip of the spear when it comes to implementing this initiative,”    each phase progresses.
said Lt. Col. Michelle Coumbs, Air Force Reserve Command’s             Reserve AFIPPS questions can be directed to the Reserve
former AFIPPS lead. “Their new launch campaign is called            AFIPPS team at A1.A1R.AFRC AFIPPS Team@us.af.mil.
AFIPPS Ready-Go and the intent is just that … to ready              #ReserveReady #ReserveReform                                      ■
Reserve Citizen Airmen for the AFIPPS phase one ROSS
(Read-Only Self-Service) account release happening this
summer, before transitioning to phase two and full capability in
the summer of 2022.”
   During AFIPPS phase one ROSS, Total Force Airmen and
Guardians will be required to create their individual AFIPPS
account. Members will receive an email notification with
instructions on how to claim their account.
   The process should take approximately two minutes to
accomplish, and allows members to review their records and
ensure their information is correct in the system. During
this time, accounts will be read-only, affording members the
ability to see the human resources data they normally wouldn’t
be able to see through another single Air Force platform

16 // April 2021                                                                                                                           April 2021 // 17
Behind the Braids Reservists play key role in first women's hair policy change in 70 years - Citizen Airman Magazine
A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington,

The Globemaster
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         flies over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge May 8, 2020. The 62nd Airlift
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Wing C-17 Demonstartion Team, made up of pilots and loadmasters
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            from the 4th, 7th, and 8th Airlift Squadrons, conducted a flyover of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          nearly 45 hospitals, healthcare organizations and landmarks up and

Reservists reflect on C-17 as fleet
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           down the Puget Sound, in appreciation of those working during the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   COVID-19 pandemic. (Airman 1st Class Mikayla Heineck)

reaches four million flying hours

                                                                                                                                         Left, a formation of C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 62nd Airlift Wing, 446th Airlift Wing, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, prepare
                                                                                                                                         to take off from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washinton, June 6, 2020. These aircraft made up a small portion of the 87 total that participated in a
                                                                                                                                         weapons instructor course joint force training exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range. (Airman 1st Class Mikayla Heineck) Right, an
                                                                                                                                         Airman from the 791st Airlift Squadron adjusts his harness on a C-17 Globemaster III above North Field, South Carolina, in January. Joint Base
           By Ed Butac                                                                                                                   Charleston hosted and executed a ceremonial flight of the C-17 to celebrate the airframe’s four millionth flying hour. (Courtesy photo)

   In January, the U.S. Air Force celebrated the four millionth     for the 313th Airlift Squadron. “I’ve been privileged to travel to   presidential support into combat zones. And I’ve been fortunate            the C-141 Starlifter and the C-17 came along and opened up
flying hour of the C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base               more destinations than most of the population will ever know         to have supported the U.S. Antarctic program with flights to               doors to the career enlisted aviator field that I would never have
Charleston, South Carolina.                                         or care about, but I think the camaraderie with the folks I travel   Antarctica.”                                                               imagined.
   More than two decades ago, Joint Base Lewis-McChord,             with trumps everything else.                                             On March 26, 2003, nearly 1,000 U.S. service members were                 “From special mission certifications to career broadening to
Washington, received its first C-17. It has added another nearly        “We truly have the best crew community on the planet.            parachuted into the Kurdish-controlled area of northern Iraq               promotions to leadership and circling back to my serving the
four dozen of the cargo aircraft to its fleet since, carrying out   We stick together and support each other to get the job done         in Operation Northern Delay in support of Operation Iraqi                  newly enlisted Airmen in our Air Force.”
missions supporting worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift       through thick and thin, highs and lows,” Corrigan added.             Freedom. This was the first combat insertion of paratroopers                  At 174 feet in length, 55 feet high, with a wingspan of just
contingencies.                                                          A C-17 can execute the strategic delivery of troops and cargo    using the C-17.                                                            under 170 feet and a maximum gross takeoff weight of 585,000
   The Air Force Reserve’s 446th Airlift Wing at McChord            to forward areas, perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions,         “The large airdrop, Operation Northern Delay, in northern              pounds and the ability to land on a runway as short as 3,500
has flown more than its fair share of the four million flying       and transport litters and ambulatory patients.                       Iraq was one of the most memorable flights I’ve had on the                 feet, the C-17 remains flexible.
hours. From peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina,                In the cargo aircraft, Corrigan and other aircrew members        C-17,” said Chief Master Sgt. Derek Bryant, chief loadmaster                  The C-17 is also known for its reliability. It has an aircraft
the Persian Gulf buildup, African relief efforts, Operation Deep    have experienced many things.                                        for the 728th Airlift Squadron. “And I have more than 8,290                mission completion success probability rate of more than 92%.
Freeze missions in Antarctica and even transporting a killer            “We have been privileged to repatriate fallen military           flight hours and counting on the C-17.”                                    #ReserveReady
whale, the airlift wing certainly added to that total.              service members from North Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan,”                 The Boeing-built aircraft is designed to fly longer, carry more           (Butac is assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing public affairs office.)
   “What a fantastic aircraft in which to have spent the last 24    Corrigan said. “Equally importantly, we’ve given life-saving         and land on shorter runways than any of its predecessors.                                                                                         ■
years of my life. I’ve probably logged around 6,000 flying hours    flights to those gravely injured in battle so they may receive           “My overall experience as a C-17 loadmaster has been
since that time,” said Lt. Col. Charles Corrigan, examiner pilot    care outside the combat zone. I’ve been honored to fly U.S.          nothing short of amazing,” added Bryant. “I was a loadmaster on

18 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        April 2021 // 19
It Can Be Done
The sky is the limit for med tech-turned-pilot                                                                                                                                                                                 Lt. Col. Jesse Hildebrand, 343rd Bomb Squadron commander,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               looks over a B-52 Stratofortress with members of his family at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in January. Hildebrand, who
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               originally enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, used a wide range of
By Senior Master Sgt. Ted Daigle                                                                                                                                                                                               resiliency skills to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot. (Senior
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done         Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, working           young staff sergeant was determined to            Somebody said it couldn’t be done           him with questions about who could.             who had backgrounds in aviation and
   But he with a chuckle replied                as a medical technician. The constant             become a pilot.                                                                                   As the cycle repeated itself, with          the military. Determined not to be left
That 'maybe it couldn’t,' but he would be one   parade of jets zooming across the skies               But the way ahead was far from clear.            Taking the same strategy he did to       each denial being met by Hildebrand             behind, Hildebrand doubled down on his
   Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.”        of the pilot training base captured his           His path to flight school was marked              join the military, Hildebrand began         with more questions about where to go           efforts, completing a year of training in
                                                attention and his imagination.                    with the same hazards as his initial entry        researching and looking for resources       and what to do next, each commander             the T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon.
   Lt. Col. Jesse Hildebrand smiled as             “I thought ‘Look at all those jets, I          into the military. Hildebrand had no              to get his dream started. He contacted      suggesting another unit to try.                     He described learning to fly the jet as
he read the opening passage from Edgar          bet they need a lot of pilots,’ but what          experience flying, no family background           an active-duty recruiter, but that avenue       “It isn’t that I can’t take ‘no’ for an     “the best year and toughest year of my
Guest’s poem, “It Couldn’t Be Done.”            I didn’t know was they were just doing            in it and very little in the way of support.      didn’t yield the results Hildebrand         answer, it’s that I’m always just looking       life.” Hildebrand, fought to learn the ins
The limerick is a favorite of the native        touch-and-go’s,” he said, laughing at the             What he did have was an attitude of           wanted.                                     to see if there is a ‘yes’ behind it,” said     and outs of flying and master the tiny
Texan and it seems to capture his life’s        memory. “I didn’t realize I was seeing the        determination. His rationale for wanting             So, he started looking within the        Hildebrand of his search for answers.           trainer. But he loved the challenge and
philosophy in prose.                            same jets over and over!”                         to become a pilot rings with the echoes of        Air Force Reserve. That hunt led him        "I’ll keep trying until it happens and if it    ultimately made it through his first year
   The new commander of the 307th                  Hildebrand may have known little               his favorite poem.                                to the commander of the 47th Fighter        doesn’t work out, I’ll try something else.”     of pilot training.
Bomb Wing’s 343rd Bomb Squadron,                about Air Force aviation, but something               “I just wanted to see if I could do           Squadron, an A-10 Thunderbolt unit              Hildebrand changed tactics, moving              All the flying struggles seemed to
Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana,            had clicked. Those jets were a challenge in       it,” he said, breaking into one of his big        stationed at Barksdale at the time.         from fighters to bombers. He went to the        disappear when Hildebrand finally got
has never been one to shy away from             his eyes, a mountain he had to climb. The         smiles and shrugging his shoulders.                  Hildebrand explained what he wanted      93rd Bomb Squadron, who listened to his         to the B-52 Formal Training Unit. He
a challenge. His entire military career                                                                                                             to do. The commander listened carefully,    story and decided to give him a chance          immediately took to the big bomber,
                                                Then-1st Lt. Jesse Hildebrand, 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress pilot (left), takes part
has been a series of missions into the          in survival training in October 2003. Now the 343rd BS commander, Hildebrand enlisted in the
                                                                                                                                                    then shook his head no. The 47th FS         at becoming a B-52 Stratofortress pilot.        feeling right at home in its cockpit.
unknown.                                        Air Force Reserve as a medical technician before attending Officer Training School and becoming a   was a pilot training unit, the commander    Persistence had finally paid off.                   “I always felt comfortable in the B-52,
   Hildebrand enlisted in the Air Force         pilot. (courtesy photo)                                                                             explained. Hildebrand would need prior          “I don’t think they knew what they          although some of my instructors might
Reserve while still in college, entering                                                                                                            experience flying the jet before he could   were getting into,” said Hildebrand with        tell you something different,” he said.
service as a medical technician. But just                                                                                                           be part of the unit.                        a laugh. “I didn’t even know what I was             Hildebrand’s struggles in the cockpit
joining the military was a practice in trial                                                                                                           But the commander’s answer didn’t        getting into!”                                  were over, but he still faced challenges as
and error. Hildebrand did not come from                                                                                                             deter the NCO, it just made him start           The Texan took his “yes” and ran with       he moved up in rank and took on greater
a military family and he found himself                                                                                                              asking questions.                           it. He’d overcome all the objections, now       responsibility and leadership. He is quick
navigating the myriad of options by                                                                                                                    “Well, where can I go to get hired as    he’d have to overcome the next obstacle:        to say he’s been surrounded by great
himself.                                                                                                                                            an A-10 pilot?” Hildebrand asked.           inexperience.                                   friends and mentors who helped him
   “I went to every one of (the services)                                                                                                              Surprised by Hildebrand’s persistence,                                                   every step of the way.
and the Air Force Reserve just seemed                                                                                                               the commander suggested he try reaching     Not giving up until he tried                        If history is any indicator, he’ll use
like the best fit,” said Hildebrand.                                                                                                                out to the 926th Fighter Squadron,                                                          past experiences to guide and mentor
   He quickly learned how to balance a                                                                                                              another Reserve A-10 unit in New               Hildebrand admitted to being                 others, always looking for ways to help
full academic schedule with work and                                                                                                                Orleans at the time.                        completely lost when he entered the             them reach their potential, the lines from
his military obligations. Before long, he                                                                                                              Hildebrand called the commander          aviation world. On his very first flight in     Eddie Guest’s poem ringing in his mind.
became a noncommissioned officer. Still,                                                                                                            there, who was also taken aback by the      a Cessna, a bird hit the windshield of the      #ReserveResilient
he wasn’t satisfied. Something inside was                                                                                                           brazen request. Neither was quite sure      plane. Wide-eyed, Hildebrand turned to              (Daigle is assigned to the 307th Bomb
pulling at him to try and do more.                                                                                                                  what to do with a medical technician who    his instructor.                                 Wing public affairs office.)               ■
                                                                                                                                                    showed up asking to be a pilot in their        “Is this going to happen a lot?” he
A lightbulb moment                                                                                                                                  unit.                                       asked. The instructor just shook his head
                                                                                                                                                       Just as before, the 926th commander      and laughed.
   That tug grew stronger in the summer                                                                                                             explained he couldn’t help Hildebrand.         During pilot training, Hildebrand
of 1999. Hildebrand was on orders at                                                                                                                And like before, Hildebrand peppered        found himself surrounded by classmates

20 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          April 2021 // 21
The Future Work Environment
AFRC mapping out a tomorrow highlighted
by more alternative workspace arrangements

                                                                                                                              Above, Air Force Reserve Command announces its Outstanding Airmen
                                                                                                                              of the Year via Zoom. Right, Staff Sgt. Charlie Trilles, a 624th Civil
                                                                                                                              Engineer Squadron engineering journeyman, teleworks with his 1-year-
                                                                                                                              old son Evan on his lap during a 624th Regional Support Group virtual
                                                                                                                              unit training assembly in 2020. (Courtesy Photos)

                                                                                                                                  “Overnight, the AFRC staff went from 7% of our work force
                                                                                                                              doing some sort of telework to almost everyone teleworking
                                                                                                                              full-time,” Pawlak said. “And now after the dust has settled a
                                                                                                                              little bit, we have about 78% of our people teleworking at least
                                                                                                                              part of the time. The FWE team is charged to create a work
                                                                                                                              environment that embraces modern technological capabilities
                                                                                                                              and work balance while still meeting mission demands.”                         “We will never return to managing our workforce the way we
                                                                                                                                  In addition to A1, the team includes experts from                       did prior to COVID,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, AFRC’s
                                                                                                                              Contracting (PK), the Logistics, Engineering and Force                      commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve. “Telecommuting
                                                                                                                              Protection Directorate (A4), the Communications Directorate                 will be an enduring part of our workforce.”
                                                                                                                              (A6), and the Directorate of Analyses, Lessons Learned and                     Pawlak echoed Scobee’s statement. “The one thing we know
                                                                                                                              Continuous Process Improvement (A9).                                        for sure is that we’re not going back to way things were before
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           the pandemic,” he said. “Beyond that, we’re
                                                                                                                              Tech. Sgt. Amber Kurka, 624th Public Affairs photojournalist craftsman, speaks with Col.     looking at what is the right mix of in-office work
                                                                                                                              Athanasia Shinas, 624th Regional Support Group commander, during a virtual interview         versus telework and what impact this has on our
                                                                                                                              from her home in Mililani, Hawaii. (Christopher Kurka)                                       mission, our work spaces, our communications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           systems and our people. We’re focused on
Airmen from the 919th Special Operations Force Support
Squadron assist Jacqueline Gonzales, 919th Special
                                                              Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, Air                                                                                                          creating and maintaining a future work
Operations Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center         Force Reserve Command was dipping its toes into the pool of                                                                                                     environment that provides essential manpower
director, test a virtual resiliency event at Duke Field,   telework work and other alternative workspace arrangements.                                                                                                     and capabilities, enabling rapid response,
Florida. Virtual events have become commonplace            The pandemic pushed the command into the deep end, forcing                                                                                                      operational surge and long-term operational
throughout Air Force Reserve Command as the command        AFRC to immediately shift to a work-from-home business                                                                                                          sustainment of its people, infrastructure and
embraces more alternative workspace arrangements.
                                                           model.                                                                                                                                                          technology. This strategic depth is critical to our
(Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McCallum)
                                                              In the months that have followed, AFRC has made necessary                                                                                                    national defense.”
                                                           adjustments in order to meet mission requirements and ensure                                                                                                       Dawn Androsky, AFRC’s director of staff, is
                                                           force health protection. As a result, a large portion of the                                                                                                    championing the work of the FWE team and
                                                           headquarters staff now combines work from home with some                                                                                                        is excited about the command’s future work
                                                           in-office work to meet mission demands while preemptively                                                                                                       environment.
                                                           decreasing the likelihood of COVID-19 exposure.                                                                                                                    “AFRC wants to obtain the best and the
                                                              Now, a cross-functional team at AFRC headquarters, Robins                                                                                                    brightest,” she said. “Flexible work options will
                                                           Air Force Base, Georgia, is trying to determine exactly what the                                                                                                allow us to do this. Since 80% of our reserve
                                                           command’s future work environment should look like. Lt. Col.                                                                                                    workforce is part-time, we want to lead the way
                                                           Dustin Pawlak, deputy chief of readiness and integration in the                                                                                                 for the future work environment. This effort
                                                           Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Readiness (A1), is                                                                                                       will allow us to retain talent, but not necessarily
By Bo Joyner                                               leading the command’s Future Work Environment (FWE) team.                                                                                                       require us to have them on-site. Today, we have

22 // April 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        April 2021 // 23
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