News Search

News

What you do matters

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Richard Schlosser
  • 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Eighteen years ago as a 22-year old two stripe Airman, I loaded up on a C-141 Starlifter and headed out on my first deployment. At the time none of us on that C-141 knew where we were headed, or for how long. What we did know was that a dictator called Saddam Hussein had taken over a small country called Kuwait. After a couple days in transient, we arrived at Thumrait, Oman, and Operation Desert Shield was well underway.

Initial discussions with my co-workers on how long we would be away from home normally ranged anywhere from a couple of weeks, to a month at the longest. That would be enough time to get in place and have a strong show of force, and then Saddam's military would return to Iraq and we would head back home.

Halloween came and went. So did Thanksgiving, Christmas and even New Year's Day, but still no news came on when we would be returning home.

On Jan. 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm started, and I now learned what it was like to serve my country during wartime. As the events unfolded, I experienced a couple of firsts in my life. I felt the hair rise on my arms and felt sorrow as I heard "Taps" played for Airmen who had been killed in battle. I put a gas mask on, not for training purposes, but for real world alarm conditions.

The efforts of the Air Force in Operation Desert Storm proved to be incredible, and highlighted the value of Airmen and importance of airpower. The United States Air Force, my career organization of choice, was decisive in the liberation of Kuwait.

As we headed back to home station, 8.5 months had passed and I realized my experiences and my views of what was important had changed forever.

Since 1990, I have had the opportunity every two to three years to deploy to the area of responsibility. With each deployment, I meet new people, learn new things and gain experiences I never would have if I had chosen a different career path. Unquestionably, each and every deployment is a new experience I'll never forget

I also recently passed the magical 20-year time in service point, and am now eligible for retirement compensation for the rest of my life. Occasionally I'll wonder what makes me still choose to stay in. I admit, it's never been an easy thing for me to leave my family and the freedoms I have at home.

I believe the reason I choose to stay now has much less to do with me, and more about what I bring to the fight and how I can affect others in a positive way. Serving as a first sergeant, I feel personally charged to help enhance people's morale and try to express gratitude for their efforts.

As a fellow team member serving in all volunteer force, I am compelled to thank our young Airmen for what they are doing for our country. Sometimes, a simple smile or handshake from leadership can mean the difference between an individual viewing the day favorably.

My goal now is to make people see and understand that what they are doing is extremely important -- not only important for today, but also for tomorrow. Important for not only their children, but also their grandchildren too.

Many days have passed since I wore two stripes on my sleeves. The journey has been an unbelievable adventure. For all the young Airmen out there, I can assure you that what you do matters! Thank you for your dedication, your service and your commitment to a greater cause.