Thunderbolt 05/12/2022

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

DAFcelebratesMilitarySpouseAppreciationDay

by1stLt.AmberR.Kelly-Herard SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—MayisdesignatedasMilitaryAppreciationMonthtohonorthosewhoserve. May6,the FridaybeforeMother’s Day, isMilitarySpouseAppreciationDay, whichrecognizesthosewho alsoservebutmaynotwearauniform.

“Militaryspousescomefromevery walkoflife;notunlikeourcivilian counterparts, theyrepresentanumberofgroups,” saidShareneBrown, spouseofAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.“Theyareveterans, militarymembers, mayhavegraduateorprofessionaldegrees, and mayhavetechnicalorvocationalskills.Theymayrepresentthemselves ashe, sheorthey;militaryspousesdonotfallintoanyoneparticular category.”

Whilethereareafewstandard waystojointhemilitary, there’sno typicalpathtobecomingamilitaryspouse.

“Whenwewerefirstmarried,beinganewmilitaryspouse wasreally different,”saidMollieRaymond,whometthenow-ChiefofSpaceOperationsGen. John W. “Jay” Raymond,duringacoffee-and-donutshour after church.“Ididn’tgrowupinamilitaryfamily. I wasnotfamiliar withmovesandtransitions,” shesaid.

“Embrace change.There’salwayssomethingtolookforwardto,” Raymondadded,whocelebrates35yearsofmarriagethis June. Brownhadsomeadviceforherfellowspouses.

“Whenyoufirstcomeintothislife, itcanbeoverwhelmingbecause it’sadifferentlifestylethanwhatmostpeopleexpect,” Brownsaid,who becameamilitaryspouseafterreturningfromteachingEnglishin Japan.“Iwouldsay, giveyourselfabitofgrace. Itcanbeveryfrustrating

PhotobyChustineMinoda Maj.SaraSalmeri,60thMedicalGroupTRICAREoperationsflight commander,and Tech.Sgt.PeterSalmeri,60thCommunication Squadroncybersystemssupervisor,poseforaphotowiththeirchildrenfortheMilitarySpouseAppreciationDaycampaignat TravisAir ForceBase,Calif.,April7.May6thwasMilitarySpouseAppreciation Day,and TravisAFBiscelebratingbyhighlightingthe resiliencyand commitmentofspousesinthemilitarycommunity.

atfirstlearningacronyms, lingo, andadifferentculture, butyou’llbe amazedbywhoyou’llbecome.”

Eachofthespousesmentionedmilitary-spouse challenges, includ-

www.macdill.af.mil

MacDillThunderbolt

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EarthDay: Takingactiontoday, assuringthemissionoftomorrow

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—Asastewardofalmost9millionacresencompassingforests, prairies, deserts, wetlands, andcoastalhabitats, the DepartmentoftheAir Forcerecognizestheimportanceofprotectingand sustainingthenaturalenvironment.

Takingstepstopreservebiodiversity, mitigatedamagingeffectsof climate change, anduseland,energy, andresourcesresponsiblyallhelpensureourinstallationscansustaincriticalmissions.

“Incelebrationofthe52ndanniversaryofEarthDay, we areproud tohighlighthowourinstallationsareleadingthe waytosaveenergy, preservehabitats, andpromotesustainabilitythroughinnovativeinfrastructure, cleanenergygeneration,andconservation,” saidNancyBalkus, DeputyAssistantSecretaryoftheAir ForceforEnvironment,Safety, and Infrastructure.

Asthelargestfuelconsumerinthefederalgovernment,theDAFis expandingeffortstobuild climateresiliencebyprioritizingoperational energy(aviationfuel)investmentsthatincreaseforcereadiness, optimize fuel consumption, andreduce greenhousegas emissions. TheDAFalso continuestofindinnovative waystoproduce clean,onsitepowertoreduce

SeeEARTHDAY, Page10

Asastewardofalmost9millionacresencompassingforests,prairies,deserts,wetlands,andcoastalhabitats,theDepartmentofthe AirForce recognizestheimportanceofprotectingandsustainingthe naturalenvironment.

emissions, whilebolsteringenergysecurityandinstallationresilienceto electricaloutagesfrommissionthreatsorextremeweatherevents.

Forexample, theDAFispilotingDepartmentofDefense’sfirstmicroreactoratEielsonAir ForceBase,Alaska,whichwillprovideupto5

927thAirRefuelingWing

The927thAirRefueling WingwelcomedtwonewsquadroncommandersduringceremonieshereApril30.

U.S. Air ForceLt.Col.AndrewDoerrtookcommandofthe63rdAir RefuelingSquadronandLt.Col.Ronald Forsterassumedcommandof the927thAerospaceMedicineSquadron.

DoerrreceivedcommandfromLt.Col.MarcMcAllister, accepting theunit’sguidonfromCol. JamesMach,927thOperationsGroupcommander.

Duringtheceremony, MachexpressedbothhisconfidenceinDoerr’s abilitytoleadaswellastheabilityofthe63rdARStoaccomplishtheir mission.Further, Doerrcitedmultipleinspectionsandexercisesduring theCOVID-19pandemicasasourceofhisexcitementtotakecommand.

“Myoptimismisnotunfounded,” saidDoerr.“You’veshowntheabilitytoachieveamazingthingsdespiteseeminglyinsurmountable challenges.”

Theatmosphere wassimilaratthe927thAMDSassumptionofcommand,wherecommand wasceremoniallybestowedupon ForsterbyCol. KurtMatthews, 927thARWcommander.

“Afterseeingthejobthatyoudidatthe94thASTS, Ihavefullfaith andconfidenceinyourabilitytotakethe927thAMDStothenextlevel,” saidMatthews.

U.S.AirForcegraphicbyRosario“Charo”Gutierrez

927thARWphoto

Col.JamesMach,927thOperationsGroupcommander,Lt.Col.Marc McAllister,andLt.Col.AndrewDoerr,63rdAirRefuelingSquadron commander,standatattentionduringachangeofcommandceremonyonMacDillAirForceBaseApril30.

WEEKINPHOTOS

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings VolunteerspickuptrashalongtheshorelineatMacDillAirForceBaseApril29.MemberscleanedupthebaseaspartofanEarthDayinitiative. ThiseffortdisplaystheimportanceMacDillputsonkeepinguptheintegrityoftheinstallation.

U.S.NavyFleetMasterChiefDonaldMyrick,U.S. TransportationCommandseniorenlistedleader,discussesinnovationsinflightequipment with Tech.Sgt.ChristianCummings,amemberassignedtothe6thOperationsSupportSquadronaircrewflightequipmentsection,duringatour atMacDillAirForceBaseApril29.MyrickvisitedAFEtolearnmoreabout thenewM69AircrewEyeandRespiratoryProtectionSystem.

U.S.NavyFleetMasterChiefDonaldMyrick,U.S. Transportation Commandseniorenlistedleader,simulates refuelinganaircraftduringatouratMacDillAirForceBaseApril29.Myrickvisitedthetrainingsectiontolearntheir roleinproducingqualifiedandcertifiedcrew membersandhowtheyusesimulatortrainingsystemstomaintaina mission readyforce.

PhotobyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

PhotobyStaffSgt.AlexanderCook

Revised‘Brown,BlueBook’

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va.(AFNS)—TheAir ForcerecentlyupdatedthecontentsofTheEnlisted ForceStructureandTheProfessionofArms:Our Core Values, morecommonlyknownamongAirmenasthe“Brown”and “Blue”books.

TraditionandheritagearethemesfoundwithintherevampedfoundationalguidesforAirmentoemulatethroughouttheircareer.

“OurAirmenarethegreatestcompetitiveadvantagewehavetodeter anddefeatthefast-paced,complexthreatswefacearoundtheglobe,” saidChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Force JoAnne S. Bass.“Airmenshould approachourmissionwiththemindsetofrespect,pride, innovation,and acontinuedcommitmenttoanticipateandembrace changetoachieve excellence.”

TheEnlisted ForceStructure, or“BrownBook,” providesastandard baselinetobestmeetmissionrequirements, whileoutliningfoundational andoccupationalcompetenciesAirmenshoulddevelopastheyprogress inrankandresponsibility. Itunderscorestheimportanceof characterin eachtieroftheenlistedstructure, andoutlinesstandardsAirmenmust meetandenforcetoadvanceacultureoftrust,respectandinclusion.

U.S.AirForceillustrationby TravisBurcham TheAirForce recentlyupdatedthecontents of TheEnlistedForce StructureandTheProfessionofArms:OurCore Values,morecommonlyknownamongAirmenasthe“Brown”and“Blue”books.TheupdatesoutlinemodernizeddevelopmentchangeswithintheAirForce,in linewiththevisiontoacceleratechangeacrosstheenterprise.

Althoughthecoreoftheenlistedforcestructureremainsthesame, the updated“BrownBook”supportsdevelopingcurrentandfutureAirmen byaddingtopicssuchas:AirmanLeadershipQualities, teaming, force developmentandmulti-capableAirmen.Theupdatesoutlinemodernized

SeeBOOKS,Page9

U.S.AirForceCol.BenJonsson,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander, recognizesMaj.Rhea McFarland,apilotassignedto the14thAirliftSquadron,forher involvementinplanninga“flightline rodeo”forcivicleadersfrom the TampaBayareaatJointBase Charleston,SouthCarolina,April 21.Thecivicleadergrouptoured theCharlestonaircraft,metwith PhoenixRavensandaeromedicalevacuationspecialistsduring multi-basefieldtriptostrengthen relationsandbolstercommunitysupport.

Agroupofcivicleadersfromthe

MacDillAirForceBaseApril21.

CommunitythefoundationtoMacDill’ssuccess

storyandphotosbyAirman1stClassLaurenCobin

6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Businessleaders, chamberofcommercemembers, programmanagersandotherstookflightwiththe6thAirRefueling Wingforamulti-basetourApril21, beginningatMacDillAir ForceBase.

Thetwo-daytripallowed23civicleadersfromthe TampaBayareatowitness theAir Forcemissiononalargescale.

Thepurposeofthecivicleaderprogramistobringtogetherleadersfromlocal communitiestopartnerandeducatethepubliconthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenmilitaryandcivilianoperations.

“Itisimportantthatwerecognizeourpartnersandhowtheysupportuson adailybasis,” saidChiefMasterSgt.ShaeGee, 6thARWcommand chief.“For themtoseehowwetakeofthemissionfromstarttofinishandmakingsurethat wesupportwhathappensdownrange, givesthemaninsidepicturesotheycan sharetheirexperienceswiththerestofthecommunity.”

Duringthefirstportionofthetrip, civicleadersobservedaKC-135StratotankeraircraftflownbyCol.Ben Jonsson,6thARWcommander, refuelaC-17 GlobemasterIIIaircraftassignedto JointBaseCharleston, S.C.

Intheboom-pod,thegrouplaidbesideAirman1stClassDamienBowlesand TristanShannon,91stAirRefuelingSquadronboomoperators, duringtherefuelingtoexperiencethetalentofyoungAirmenworkinginmission-essentialroles.

“This wasagreatexperience,” saidShannon.“Itisalwaysfuntoshowpeople aroundandIthinkthattheseeventsimproveouroutreachtothecommunity.As forthecrew, this wasatripwewereallreallylookingforwardto.”

Aftercompletingtheirrefuelingmission,thegrouptoucheddownatJB Charleston,wherethe Tampaleadersreceivedanin-depthtourofaC-17,an adrenalin-filleddemonstrationfromateamofPhoenixRavensecurityforcesAirmenandaninsightfulmeetingwithaeromedicalevacuationspecialists.

Additionally, thecivicleadersmetwithservicemembersandciviliansfrom the437thMaintenanceSquadronwhorepaircriticalflightequipment;Airmen

assignedtothe1stCombatCameraSquadronwhoareresponsibleforcollecting imageryinsupportofstrategicoperationsworldwide;andlater, aspringsocial thatbroughttogethernearly100civicleadersfromthe TampaandCharleston areas.

Daytwoofthecivicleadertourbroughtthegrouptothe96th Test WinglocatedatEglinAir ForceBase, Fla.,April22. Operating38modifiedtestaircraftandmanaging120,000squaremilesof over-watertestranges, plusfacilitiesinsixdifferentstates, the96thTWexecutesdevelopmentaltestsandevaluationstoenablethe warfightertoputweaponsontargetinallbattlespacemedia.

ShelbyDaniell,96thTW chiefofcommunityengagement,sharedthatthe TampaleaderswereoneofthefirstgroupstotourEglinfacilitiessincetheCOVID-19pandemicbegan.

“Itisreallyimportantthatweprovidethesetourstoimprovecommunityrelationsandbuildonourpartnerships,” saidDaniell.

Morethanextraordinaryaircraftandpowerfulweapons, teamEglinopened theirdoorstorevealthe96thMedicalGroupandtheIntrepidSpiritCenter, providingademonstrationontacticalcombatcarepracticesandtheintegrative, multi-disciplinaryandholisticcarecenter.

“It wasoverwhelmingtocomprehendhowmuchresponsibilitytheseyoungairmenhave,” saidSandyClawson, TampaElectricCompany’scorporatedirectorof ethicsandcompliance, aftertouringthemedicalfacilities.“Thishasbeenreally movingtoseehowmuchwecareforourveterans, intermsofnon-visualinjuries, whogivetheirlivestotheircountry.Atsuchayoungage, manyoftheseAirmen we’vemethavesucharesponsibilitytoprotectourfreedom.Thistriphasmade meappreciatehowluckywearetobeAmericans.”

UponreturntoMacDill, Jonssonsharedhisgratitudeforthecommunity.

“Myheart wasburstingtoseehowproudthiscommunityisofourAirmen,just asweare,” Jonssonsaid.“ToseetheseyoungAirmendoingthesereallyimpressivethings, medically, inaircraft,oronthegroundinamaintenancefacility, is awesome.Weappreciateyoucomingalongonthistrip.”

Agroupofcivicleadersfromthe TampaBayareaobserveademonstrationofaGAU-8 Avenger30mm gatlinggunnearamunitionstestrangeatEglinAirForceBaseApril 22.Thecivicleadergrouptoured variousbasestostrengthen relationsandbolstercommunitysupport.Thetestareaincludesmultipleinstrumentedtestbaysfor ballisticevaluationofgunsystems andammunition.

AndyMayts,AirMobilityCommandcivicleaderandpartnerofShumaker,LoopandKendrickLLC,takesaimduringaweaponssimulationtrainingatthe1stCombatCameraSquadronlocatedatJoint BaseCharleston,SouthCarolina,April21.The1stCTCSisoneoftwo active-dutyCombatCameraunitsintheAirForceandis responsible forcollectingimageryinsupportofstrategicoperationsworldwide.

Salutethecute

byKeianaHolleman

DALLAS—America’sfurriest heroescan take theirpurrificpatrioticlooksallthe wayto thebank.Militarypetscanfetch ashareof$3,000inExchange giftcardsfortheirhumanswhen theyshowofftheirAmerican prideinthe Patriot Pet JustSay “Treat”PhotoContest,presented bytheArmy&Air ForceExchangeServiceandRoyalCanin.

FromMay1throughMay31,authorizedExchangeshoppersworldwide, includinghonorablydischargedveterans andDepartmentofDefenseandCoastGuardciviliansandretirees, can

visitShopMyExchange.com/sweepstakesandsubmitaphotooftheirpets dressedinapatrioticcostumeorwithapatrioticbackgroundfora chance towin.

Twogrand-prizewinnerswilleachreceivea$500Exchangegiftcard. Eightrunners-upwillreceivea$250Exchangegiftcard.

“Petsareanintegralpartofthemilitaryfamily,” saidAir ForceChief MasterSgt. KevinOsby, theExchange’sseniorenlistedadvisor.“This contestgivesusa chancetosaluteandhonorthepetsinthecommunity fortheirsupportofservicemembersyear-round.”

ContestrulescanbefoundatShopMyExchange.com/sweepstakes. Winnerswillbeselectedonoraround June15.

Facebook-friendlyversion:Salutethecute!@shopmyexchangeiscelebratingthecompanionsofAmerica’sheroesinthe Patriot Pet JustSay “Treat”PhotoContest.ShopperscansnapandsubmitaphotooftheirpatrioticpetonShopMyExhange.com/sweepstakesfora chancetowintheir shareof$3,000ingiftcards. Learnmore:https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-24H/.

MACDILL

Courtesygraphic

development changeswithintheAir Force, inlinewiththevisiontoaccelerate changeacrosstheenterprise.

TheProfessionofArms:OurCore Values, knownasthe“BlueBook,” wasoriginallypublishedin1996andprovidesguidancetoAirmenatall levelsontheservice’sinstitutionalvaluesandguidingprinciples.This revisionextensivelyexplainstheProfessionofArms;ServiceOathsfor Enlisted,OfficersandCivilServants;Air ForceCore ValuesandtheCode ofConduct.

“Wemustperiodicallyreviewandrefreshourfoundationalguidesto ensurewe’regivingAirmenthetoolstheyneedtosucceedinthefuture force,” saidAir ForceChiefof StaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.“Whathasn’t changed,iseveryAirman’sresponsibilitytoinspireothers, setanexamplethroughpersonalconduct,andpromoteleadershipandaccountability acrossourforce.”

TheBlueBookcallsonAirmentobededicatedtocontinuousindividualandinstitutionalimprovements. Itemphasizestheimportance

ofshowingrespectforothersandimplementsarecommendationofthe IndependentReviewCommissiononSexualAssaultintheMilitaryby clarifyingthatengaginginandtoleratingsexualassaultandsexualharassmentareviolationsoftheAir ForceCore Values Stalking, bullying, extremismanddiscriminationareadditionalbehaviorscitedaseroding thefoundationuponwhichtheAir Force wasbuilt.

Inadditiontothe“Brown”and“Blue”books,Airmencanexpectanew “PurpleBook”tobereleasedinthesummer.The“PurpleBook”willaim toeducateAirmenabouthowAirpowerfitsintothejoint-forceenvironment,andconnectsjointdoctrine, values, capabilitiesand warfighting conceptsthatcapturehowtheAir Forceeffectivelypartnerswithother servicestoprotectAmerica’sinterestsacrosstheglobe.

“UpdatingthesefoundationalguidesequipsAirmenwiththeresources neededtobecomehighlytrained,educated,andadaptabletothethreats ourcompetitorspresent,andthesignificantroleeveryAirmanplaysfor themissiontobesuccessful,” Basssaid.

megawattsofreliable clean energytosupplementcurrentinstallation energysources.

Additionally, EdwardsAFB, California,willcompleteoneofthecountry’slargestsolarphotovoltaicarrayprojectsin2022,adding520megawattsofrenewableelectricitytothegridandcreatingmorethan1,000 jobs.ThiseffortbuildsoninitiativesfrominstallationslikeHillAFB, Utah,and VandenbergSpace ForceBase, California,toaugmentbase powersupplywithsolarenergy.

TheDAFisalsoexpandingitselectricalvehiclefleettoreduceitscarbon footprintandachievecarbon-neutralandnet-zeroemissiongoalsby2050. In2020,theDepartment wasrecognizedbythe U.S. DepartmentofEnergy witha2020 FederalEnergyManagementProgram awardforincreasing AlternativeFuel Vehicleinventoryby42.7%whencomparedtofiscalyear 2018.AFVsnowrepresentmorethan24%ofthetotalDAFfleet.

DAFinstallationsareexpandingenvironmentalconservationmeasures byimplementingsustainableinfrastructureandlandscapingpractices.

DyessAFB, Texas,partneredwiththecityofAbilene, Texas,torepurposeoilpipelinestodeliverapproximately160milliongallonsoftreated wastewatertothebaseeachyearforirrigation.Thispartnershiphas helpedAbilenereduce waterdemandby2%,whilesavingtheAir Force morethan$300,000annually.

AtNellisAFB, Nevada,theDAFreplaced water-thirstygrasseswith efficientdesertlandscaping, reducing waterconsumptionby10%.The baseisalsousingrobotsto cleantheirsolarpanels–whichpower25%

ofthebase–resultingina75%reductionin waterusecomparedto manual cleaningmethods. Otherinstallationsactivelypursuingsustainablelandscapingpracticesinclude, butarenotlimitedto:LaughlinAFB, Texas, BealeAFB, California,MarchAirReserveBase, California,and MountainHomeAFB, Idaho.

To theDAF,responsiblestewardshipmeansnotonlyreducingitsenvironmentalfootprint,butalsoprotectingandrepairinghabitatsthatare alreadyfacingdegradation.

In2021,theAir ForceCivilEngineerCentersecuredmorethan$10 milliontoprotectmissionreadinessandtheenvironmentatTyndall AFB, Florida.

InOctober2018,theinstallationsufferedadirecthitfromHurricane Michael,aCategory5hurricane, resultinginmorethan$3billionin damage.Thegrantwillhelpimprovetheresilienceoftheinstallation throughenhancedshorelinehabitats, whichprovideanaturalbuffer againststormsurges.

Theprojectwillincludeupto1,000feetoflivingshorelines, 3,500feet ofsubmergedshoreline, and1,500feetofnewoysterreefhabitat.

TravisAFB, California,isinvestinginnaturalsolutionstopreserve habitat,whilesavingmoney.Theinstallationusesabout300sheepand goatsfortargetedgrazingto clearinvasivespeciesfromsteephillsides androckyterrain,whichpromotesthegrowthanddiversityofnative speciesincludingthosethatarethreatenedandendangered.Theanimals alsoreducefirehazardsandeliminatetheneedfordebrisdisposal.

MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

EVENTS

KidsbowlfreeMay1–Sept.5

Registeryour childtodayfora springandsummerbowlingpass. Passincludestwofreegamesof bowlingaday. *Shoerentalregular price. Visithttps://macdillfss.com/ macdill-lanes-bowling/formore info.

FitnessBingoMay1–31

GrabaBINGOcardfromthe frontdeskattheShort Fitness Centerandplayallmonthlong. Completetheexercise, classorskill andmarkoffthesquareon your BINGOcard.Completeonelinein anydirectionfora chancetowin prizes.

Interviewingskillsworkshop May17

LocationisM&FRC, 1 p.m.2:30 p.m.TheInterviewingskills workshopwillhelpyoulearnthe techniquesinvolvedintheinterviewprocessandhowtohandle salaryissuesandquestions. Call 828-0145

NAF Job Fair/HiringEventMay19

Heldfrom10a.m.–2 p.m.Are you or someoneyouknowlooking forajob?ComeouttotheBreakaway EventsCenter.TheNAFHumanResourceOfficeislookingfor 80energeticnewapplicants, witha drivetoexcelinthefieldsofhospitality, foodandbeverage, childand youth,andrecreation.Interested applicantscangoonlinetoview currentpositions availableatmacdillfss.com.Applicantsarerequired tomakeaUSAjobsaccountand needtoapplyonline.Visithttps:// macdillfss.com/naf-human-resources/formoreinfo.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Blastaway!

U.S.AirForceCol.BenjaminJonsson,left,6thAirRefuelingWingcommander,learnshowtousea CL2000laserasapartofavisitwiththe6thMaintenanceSquadroncorrosioncontrolunitatMacDill AirForceBaseApril28.AircraftstructuralmaintenancetechniciansassignedtoMacDilluseaCL2000 laserto removepaintandcorrosiondamagefromaircraftparts.TheCL2000isthemostpowerfullaserutilizedintheAirForceandisevencapableofdecontaminatingnuclear-contaminatedsurfaces.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

NormalHours- Monday-Friday -9a.m.to 3p.m.Afterhourschaplain,calltheCommand Postat828-4362/4361.

Monday-ThursdayMass 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic(in-person) -Saturday -5:30p.m. (confession4:30p.m.) Sunday- 9:30a.m.(confessionsbyappointment)

Protestantservices Wednesday 11 a.m.. virtual)- Sunday 11 a.m.

Jewish - MonthlyLunchandLearn:Forschedule&tojoindistro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

IslamicService - Friday12:30p.m.(space reserved)

OtherFaithGroups- Pleasecontactthe Chapelat(813)828-3621orviaemailat6ARW. HCADMIN@us.af.mil

MacDill’sChapelwebsiteis:https://www.macdill. af.mil/chapel

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel Facebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

PhotobyAirman1stClassJoshuaHastings

inghomesickness,

movingandmakingnewconnectionswithpeople, to nameafew.

“Oneofourfirsttoursoverseas wasinItaly Iconsideredmyselfquite theadventurer, butforsomereason,Ididn’tfeelverycomfortablegettingout,” Brownrecalled,whowillcelebrate33yearsofmarriagethis summer.“There wasafriendofmineIknewfromanotherlocationwho calledmeuptoshowmearound,andit wasthemostfantasticdayI everhad.”

Payingitforward,Brownnowadvisesotherspousestoreachoutto incoming familiestoshow themthe way, help locate theAirmanand FamilyReadinessCenterandassistinnavigatingthebase. Shealso asksspousestofindoutasmuchinformationaspossibleaboutthenew placebeforetheydepart.

Despitethe challenges, beingamilitaryspousecanalsoberewarding.

“A rewardingmomentisseeingaspouse, whofelttheydidn’thave muchtooffer, discoverthemselvesandgoforwardtoenlightenother people,” Brownsaid.

Brownrememberedmeetingamilitaryspouserecentlywhoturned herloveforfindingoldpiecesoffurnitureandrepurposingtheminto anopportunitytohelpspousescreate“new”additionsfortheirhomes whilealsofosteringfellowship.

Oftentimes, spousesareconcernednotonlyabouttheirsignificant othersbutalsofortheir children.

“Itransitionedourkidsinandoutofschoolsandmadesurethatthey wereadjustingthroughengagingtheminconversationandconstantly checkinginonthem,” Raymondsaid.“It wasn’teasy.Wehadsometough conversationsovertheyears.Andthey’vestruggled,buttheyallhave becomeverystrong, resilientyoungadults.”

Raymondadvisesallparentsto“calltheSLO(SchoolLiaisonOfficer) beforeyougo.” This way, parentscanunderstandwhateducationalop-

tionsare availableforasmoothertransition.

Inadditiontohelpingothers, Raymondadvocatesforself-care.

“We’realwaystakingcareofothers, butit’sOKtoputyourselffirst, too,” shesaid.“Restandenjoydoingsomethingthatgivesyouthebatteryrechargeweallneedtostartanewday.”

RachelRush,spouseofChiefMasterSgt.oftheSpace ForceRogerA. Towberman,advisesspousestokeepopenlinesofcommunicationwith theirpartners.

“Youhavetobeabletotalkwithyourspouse. Evenwhenthingsare tough, you must talkaboutit. If there’ssomethingyou want inlife, somethingyou wanttodo, somethingyou wanttobe, takethosetasks on,” Rushsaid.“Talktoyourpersonasearlyaspossibleaboutwhatyou wouldliketodowithyourlife. Eventhoughyou’reonajourneytogether, it’sstillanindividuallife.You wanttolookbackattheendofitand notfeellikeyou’vemissedoutonopportunities.”

Rushusesherexperienceasaspouseandpsychiatricnursetohelp otherspouses.

“Inmylineofwork,whichhasconsistedprimarilyofin-patientsettings, Ihaveunfortunatelyseenquiteafewyoungspouses.Thereare trendsrelatedtofeelingsofdisplacement.Displacementfromfamily andfriends, fromeverythingthey’veknown.”

Rushadvocatesforservicememberstoincludetheirspousesinas manyaspectsoftheirlivesaspossible.

“Doyourbestnottoisolateyourlovedones;helpkeepthemconnectedinthisbeautifulnewlifethey’ve chosentosharewithyou,” shesaid.

Editor’snote:ThespouseoftheChiefofStaffoftheAir Force, Sharene Brown,recentlyannounceda Five&Thriveinitiative, whichincreases focusandattentiononthetopfivequalityoflife challengesmilitary familiesface.TheThriveGuide wascreated“byspouses, forspouses”to helpnavigatethemilitaryspousejourney.

THUNDERBOLT