A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E 5 0 2 n d A I R B A S E W I N G
JOINT
BASE
SAN
ANTONIO-LACKLAND,
TEXAS
•
Vol.
73
No.
44
•
November
4,
2016
Providing medical care in the air
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla
Members of the 59th Medical Wing Acute Lung Rescue Team transport a patient inside the San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston
Oct. 15. The 59th MDW Acute Lung Rescue Team is comprised of medics with extensive training of aeromedical evacuation techniques. The team’s mission is to ensure patients are
safely transported to a higher echelon of medical care. See page 9 for more photos
INSIDE |
Commentary 2
News 3
Community Briefs 14
Sports 17
ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil
PAGE 2
commentary
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
It’s not a job — it’s a profession
By Lt. Col. Michael Drost
71st Operations Support Squadron commander
Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
I frequently take anonymous questions
from those in my squadron to encourage
Airmen to be as open as possible with
me. Not every Airman feels comfortable
addressing the commander in person.
I always advertise and encourage feedback. Sometimes my most honest queries
come from unknown sources.
One such query was posed during a
mentoring session with our squadron’s
E-3s and E-4s when discussing promotions. “What do you say to people who
don’t care or don’t want to promote?”
I assume the words in this question
were carefully chosen. Even still, they can
be interpreted several ways.
The question may indicate the person
does not care about his work, or does not
care about promotion. It might be from
an ascending squadron leader who wants
to help motivate a junior enlisted member.
The questioner may be a self-motivated
individual trying their absolute best and
in that personal pursuit of complete job
knowledge they are not bothered if they
are not recognized in the form of a
promotion.
In my opinion, that is perfectly acceptable. I have confidence in our leadership
to promote people with strong work
ethics who don’t necessarily see
promotion as their main goal.
I have told many Airmen that I do not
make decisions for the squadron based on
how best I can position myself for promotion. I am proud of the rank I obtained
and if I retire an O-5, I would not feel
slighted. Promotion is not my motivation
for completing a task to the best of my
ability.
Another possibility is our anonymous
Airman might not actually care about his
work, is passing time until the current
enlistment is up, doesn’t want the
responsibilities of the next rank, or
doesn’t want to put in the effort required
to get promoted.
To this Airman I say, “This isn’t a job,
“A job is a specific task with a defined
beginning and a defined end. A profession
is part of you - it helps define who you
are. It is personal and your unique
individualism contributes to it.”
— Lt. Col. Michael Drost
71st Operations Support Squadron commander
it’s a profession.”
A job is a specific task with a defined
beginning and a defined end. A profession is part of you — it helps define who
you are. It is personal and your unique
individualism contributes to it.
As military professionals, we are given
jobs to do on a daily basis. There are
many tasks required to get the Wing mission accomplished. But merely doing those
tasks does not make you a professional
and it does not give you a profession.
The Air Force is in the business of
growing leaders in both our enlisted
ranks and within our officer corps. If the
Air Force was concerned merely about
getting a particular task done, we would
be sacrificing our future for the immediate need of the present.
For example, in our Radar Approach
Control, the task could be to get the most
aircraft safely airborne and landed in a
single day to meet timeline requirements.
This requires a team of individuals,
expertly trained, focused on a common
objective, working in unison, executing a
task for which they are uniquely qualified
to accomplish.
While important on the micro level, this
task of meeting timeline requirements is
not what the Air Force ultimately needs.
Our Air Force ultimately needs Airmen
who sign up to grow within the ranks.
Airmen not only do any task
assigned, but also are the next Airmen
in line to lead those under them. In this
constant quest for leaders, we will pull
from those who are technical experts in
their field and improve their core
competencies.
As importantly, we will develop their
ability to lead the next generation of
Airmen. When we promote individuals, it
is partly based on their past performance.
But it is largely based on their ability to
succeed in the future.
I understand the need for individuals to
complete tasks on a daily basis. What the
Air Force needs you to do is to take that
task and make it a part of who you are.
Widen your aperture to more than just a
particular task or job and prove yourself
deserving of more responsibility.
To those merely wanting a job, the Air
Force is not the right place. Sure, we will
still require you to do the tasks assigned
while you are employed, but we are
in the business of making military
professionals.
Those not wanting to promote must
understand that they will be replaced by
a new crop of eager Airmen who want
more than a job.
I would hope that as I shake your hand
when you leave the service, and thank
you for time served, you understand that
in the civilian world those with jobs are
just as replaceable.
A job is a task and to an employer you
are a means to an end. Once that job
can be done more cheaply, quickly or
precisely, you will be replaced.
A profession is more than a job. Make
your military career a part of what
defines you and you will achieve
professional success.
Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday
Joint Base San AntonioLackland
Editorial Staff
BRIG. GEN. HEATHER PRINGLE
502ND AIR BASE WING/JBSA
COMMANDER
TODD G. WHITE
502ND ABW/JBSA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
OSCAR BALLADARES
JBSA-LACKLAND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF
ALAIN M. POLYNICE
COMMAND INFORMATION CHIEF
SENIOR AIRMAN LYNSIE NICHOLS
SENIOR AIRMAN KRYSTAL WRIGHT
PHOTOJOURNALISTS
JEREMY GERLACH
JOSE T. GARZA III
STAFF WRITERS
DOROTHY LONAS
PAGE DESIGN/ILLUSTRATOR
Office
2230 Hughes Ave.
JBSA-Lackland, Texas
78236-5415
(phone) 671-2908
(fax) 671-2022
Email: [email protected]
Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)
For advertising information:
EN Communities
P.O. Box 2171
San Antonio, TX 78297
250-2052
This newspaper is published by
EN Communities, a private firm in no
way connected with the U.S. Air Force,
under exclusive written contract with
JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial
enterprise Air Force newspaper is an
authorized publication for members
of the U.S. military services. Contents
of the Talespinner are not necessarily
the official views of, or endorsed by,
the U.S. government, the Department
of Defense, or the Department of the
Air Force.
The appearance of advertising in
this publication, including inserts or
supplements, does not constitute
endorsement by the Department of
Defense, the Department of the Air
Force or EN Communities, of the
products or services advertised.
Everything
advertised
in
this
publication shall be made available
for purchase, use or patronage without
regard to race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation,
or any other non-merit factor of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Editorial content is edited, prepared
and provided by the Public Affairs Office
of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos,
unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air
Force photos.
Deadline for story submissions
is noon Wednesday the week prior
to publication.
November 4, 2016
News in Brief
operation home cooking phone lines are open
San Antonio area families can invite two
Airmen/trainees at Joint Base San AntonioLackland to enjoy a holiday meal through
“Operation Home Cooking.” This program
is designed for family participation, not
for groups, to ensure everyone wanting to
participate can do so.
Requests can be made from 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. weekdays by calling call 671-5453,
671-5454 or 671-3701. Reservations are
required to host Airmen/trainees. The phone
lines will remain open until Nov. 23 or
until all eligible Airmen/trainees have been
requested, whichever occurs first. Anyone
who calls after the total number of Airmen/
trainees is reached may be placed on a
waiting list.
Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite two Airmen/trainees
as a “general request.” To make a “by name
request,” you must be an immediate family
member and live in the San Antonio metropolitan area. Exceptions will be for
Airmen in the 7th week of training.
Out-of-town relatives with trainees who
are graduating during Thanksgiving week
may request them by name for Thanksgiving
lunch/dinner. Since trainees are not permitted to have personal transportation during
training, hosts must pick up them up.
“General requests” will be picked up at the
Pfingston Reception Center, building 6330,
while “by name requests” can be picked up
from their respective squadrons on
Thanksgiving Day between 7 and 11 a.m.
Due to heightened security measures,
hosts without a current Department of
Defense identification card are required to
have a background check and visitor’s pass
to enter the base. Hosts can pick up their
visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate Visitor
Reception Center, which is open 24/7 and
located off Military Drive, until Nov. 23.
All Airmen/trainees must be returned
according to their designated return time,
which is no later than 7 p.m.
jbsa uso grand opening
To celebrate the grand opening of the
USO location at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort
Sam Houston, a picnic is planned from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Sam Houston
Community Center, building 1395 on Chaffee
Road. Live entertainment will be provided by
the 323rd Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own,” the
USO Show Troupe and a disc jockey. There
will also be a kid’s zone, bouncy castles, face
See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 18
TALESPINNER
news
PAGE 3
Ordnance disposal master craftsman
sacrificed his safety to save lives
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
In the sands of Iraq, where hostile
explosive devices lurk inches under the
surface, every step an explosive ordinance disposal master craftsman takes
could be their last.
In the fourth installment of the
Airman Heritage Museum’ Enlisted
Character Development series, retired
Senior Master Sgt. Paul Horton told an
audience of Airmen that EOD master
craftsmen only have one question to ask
themselves: “How many people can I
save before I go? How much more can
I give?”
Horton’s speech, held at Joint
Base San Antonio Lackland Pfingston
Reception Center Oct. 26, focused on the
theme of “sacrifice.”
Horton recalled harrowing stories
about near-death experiences in Iraq
that he fought through to rescue countless lives of American and coalition forces. The stories captivated an audience
of more than 100 Airmen in attendance.
Billed as the “Indestructible Airman”
in a 2011 Air Force recruiting campaign,
Horton served on multiple military operations: Southern Watch, Northern
Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom
and Iraqi Freedom. He completed more
than 1,500 combat missions, 65 Secret
Service missions, 18 emergency responses and destroyed more than 68,000
pounds of enemy explosives.
“Being an EOD tech first resonated
with me because the job is to protect
people,” Horton explained. “It’s like a
chess game with the enemy.”
Horton, who retired from the Air
Force in 2015, was awarded the Bronze
Star with three devices, the Purple
Heart with one device and the Air Force
Meritorious Service Medal for his service, among other honors.
For all his medals, Horton is able to
sound off his scars just as quickly.
Horton sustained brain damage,
severe bruising, cuts, an unhinged jaw
and nerve dislocation, all from countless brushes with explosives, rocketpropelled grenades and small arms fire.
After each injury he sustained, Horton
surprised his fellow Airmen by request-
Photo by Sean Worrell
Retired Senior Master Sgt. Paul Horton, prior explosive ordnance disposal specialist,
spoke to Joint Base San Antonio members Oct. 26 at JBSA-Lackland Pfingston Reception
Center as part of the fourth installment of the Airman Heritage Museum’ Enlisted Character
Development series. Horton recalled near-death experiences in Iraq as he fought to rescue
countless lives of American and coalition forces. He was awarded the Bronze Star with
three devices, Purple Heart with one device and Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his
service, among other honors.
ing to return to duty, returning to Iraq
once and then Afghanistan twice after
taking blows that temporarily knocked
him out of the war.
“Sacrifice … means taking the missions no one else would,” Horton said.
“I felt the Air Force could put me in a
no-win situation, and there was still a
chance for me to get us out alive.”
Horton told the crowd he made a
choice early on in his career not to start
delegating the danger of diffusing roadside bombs to other technicians.
“As a senior master sergeant, I could
have just sat at a desk, done paperwork
and sent someone else out there into
the field,” Horton explained. “But I belonged out there, making those decisions
myself.”
As Horton detailed the peaks and
valleys of his EOD career, one mission in
January 2, 2006, stuck out to him as a
turning point.
Horton’s EOD team was on a roll that
day after successfully destroying a series
of bombs planted at a small school with
no loss of life. After months of dangerous missions, lives lost that left the group
“feeling jinxed and cursed,” saving the
school seemed to be the breakthrough
they’d been waiting for, Horton noted.
“That day, our team was knocking it
out of the park,” Horton recalled. “We
were stoked, it finally felt like victory –
and on our way back, that’s when the
Humvee in front of us got blown up.”
Horton’s two-vehicle convoy was under mortar attack and small arms fire
from nearby insurgents tracking the
team from behind. The explosion flipped
See CHARACTER Page 5
PAGE 4
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
JBSA to host National American Indian
Heritage Month events in November
By David DeKunder
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs
In observance of National American
Indian Heritage Month, activities
throughout November will be held at
Joint Base San Antonio locations, including storytelling, cooking classes,
essay, poster and art contests and tribal
dancing.
The
JBSA-Randolph
National
American Indian Heritage Month
Committee is sponsoring an essay, art
and poster contests and hosting several events at the JBSA-Randolph Youth
Center, while the U.S. Army North will
hold an observance event for National
American Indian Heritage Month at
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
Ed Blauvelt, JBSA-Randolph National
American Indian Heritage Month
Committee chairman, said the purpose
of the activities is to teach children
about the culture and customs of Native
American youth.
“To teach the youth about Native
American youth – the games they played,
the art they made, the food they ate,
the music they listened to and how they
lived,” Blauvelt said. “We are educating
children to realize there is something
else in this country; there are other cultures in this country; there’s different
ways to look at things and different ways
to live within the United States.”
Any high school or home school senior
whose parent or legal guardian is employed at JBSA-Randolph is eligible
to enter an essay scholarship contest
put on by the JBSA-Randolph National
American Indian Heritage Month
Committee. The essay entries, which
must be between 1,000 to 2,000 words,
will be based on this year’s theme,
“Serving Our Nations.”
Blauvelt said the theme of “Serving
Our Nations” ties into how American
Indians are serving both the U.S. and
their tribal nations. In the essays, one
of the objectives students have to convey is how they have been serving their
communities over the last four years and
becoming leaders.
See HERITAGE Page 12
November 4, 2016
CHARACTER from Page 3
the vehicle in front of Horton’s; trapping
several Airmen inside and temporarily
disrupting the team’s communications.
Horton was facing seemingly impossible
odds.
“If there was a button I could have
pressed to just not be there – to save
myself – I would have pressed it,” Horton
said. “We were outnumbered, we were
alone, and there was no one coming
to save us.”
That’s when a strange thought kicked
in, Horton continued.
“Get everyone out alive,” Horton
thought. “And so we did.”
After setting up triage for the wounded,
and unpinning an Airman from beneath
the Humvee, Horton refused morphine
to deal with a severe wound so he could
remain intelligible enough to secure
a radio and direct a medevac rescue
operation to his team’s location.
Horton may have gotten everybody on
TALESPINNER
his team out alive that day, but he still
doesn’t take credit for the rescue.
“I want to say it was me out there
saving those people, but it was the job,”
Horton explained. “My job, my uniform,
it just took over. It wasn’t Paul Horton
out there, it was an Airman saving those
people. In those moments, when all you
want to do is to not be in danger, duty
takes over.”
That philosophy – uniform before self
– helped guide Horton through countless
other scrapes with death and danger.
Instead of measuring his life and his
career in terms of what he had accomplished, Horton began measuring himself based on how many lives he could
save, regardless of his own safety.
Horton urged Airmen to take that
message of sacrifice and selflessness to
heart.
“Your value, your self-worth, it’s not
what you have suffered, and it’s not what
you have lost,” Horton said. “It’s what
you still have left to give.”
JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE - 808-SARC (7272) • DOD SAFE HELPLINE - (877) 995-5247
• JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE - 367-1213 •JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN - 365-6420
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
Since 1970, the San Antonio
Chamber of Commerce has
organized Celebrate America’s
Military, or CAM, an annual tribute
to the military. The two-week
celebration during the month of
November features events presented with community partners,
making it the largest event of its
kind nationwide.
The following events are open
to the public:
uiW militarY appreciation
Football game
Date/time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Benson Stadium at
the University of the Incarnate
Word, 4301 Broadway
The University of the Incarnate
Word Cardinals football team
plays the Southeastern Louisiana
University Lions, with kickoff
at 2:30 p.m. UIW Athletics and
Extended Academic Programs host
a pre-game military appreciation
tailgate. Free admission to the
game for all active-duty military,
veterans and Department of
Defense employees with ID and
their families. Parking is $8 per
vehicle. First 500 fans will receive
a military appreciation drawstring
bag. Half-time events include
enlistment ceremony and UIW
and Army band performance. To
contact the UIW Cardinal ticket
office, call 805-3000. Children
2 and up will need a full price
ticket. For tickets, visit https://uiw.
universitytickets.com.
humor For heroes
Date/time: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Location: Texas A&MSan Antonio Auditorium,
One University Way
Humor for Heroes strives to
demonstrate our appreciation to
current and former military members by providing an entertaining
night of comedy, fostering connections with military resources
and contributing much needed
financial support to military charities. This is a ticketed event and
open to the public. Tickets are $15
each or two for $25.
utsa celebrates
america’s militarY
(DOWNTOWN CAMPUS)
Date/time: Wednesday, 3-6 p.m.
Location: UTSA Downtown
Campus, 501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Veterans resource Fair and
speaking engagements.
hiring red, White and You!
Date/time: Thursday,
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TALESPINNER
Location: Freeman Coliseum
Expo Hall 2, 3201 E. Houston St.
Join the Texas Workforce
Commission, Workforce Solutions
Alamo for the 4th Annual Hiring
Red White and You Job Fair. This
event is designed to connect
employers seeking qualified
candidates with Texas veterans
and their family members seeking
employment.
nation’s and Texas veterans. Line
the downtown streets and wave
your American flag and show your
pride as veterans past and present are honored. For more parade
information, visit http://www.
usmvpa.com/index-PARADE_DATE.
html. Honorary parade marshall is
World War II Navy veteran Susano
Ortiz and grand marshalls are
District 26 Sen. Jose Menendez
and District 19 Sen. Carlos Uresti.
utsa celebrates
america’s militarY (MAIN CAMPUS)
Date/time: Thursday, 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m., veterans resource fair;
3 p.m., veterans study room dedication; 4 p.m., Army and Air Force
ROTC pass and review
Location: 1 UTSA Circle
Wish For our heroes
ride teXas san antonio eVent
Date/time: Thursday, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Toyota Field
Join the San Antonio Spurs and
“Wish for Our Heroes” Riders for
a welcome party to San Antonio
and to be on site to see a few
wishes granted to military heroes.
Twenty-four riders and a convoy of
support staff travel from Wichita
Falls, Texas, to Corpus Christi,
Texas, in the span of five days,
covering just over 500 miles. The
event begins Nov. 7 and conclude
Nov. 11. RIDE TEXAS began in
2011 and has successfully taken
a unified team across the state
each year since. The event is led
by wounded heroes and the purpose of the team is to assist our
wounded heroes in completing this
journey. Each day is filled with
single day events such as meet
and greets, parades, and dinners.
These single day events are used
to not only meet the community
but to raise funds for our Military
members and to grant wishes.
a&m uniVersitY-san antonio
celebrate america’s militarY
Date/time: Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Patriots’ Casa,
Texas A&M-San Antonio,
One University Way
Texas A&M University-San
Antonio will honor service members with a flag raising along
with a wreath-laying ceremony
on Veterans Day at the Patriots’
Casa. This event is free and open
to the public.
moment oF silence and
national roll call teXas
a&m uniVersitY-san antonio
Date/time: Nov. 11, 9 a.m.
Location: Patriots’ Casa,
Texas A&M-San Antonio,
November 4, 2016
2016
One University Way
Texas A&M University-San
Antonio will honor service members with a moment of silence and
National Roll Call on Veterans Day
at the Patriots’ Casa. This event is
free and open to the public.
Fort sam houston national
cemeterY Veterans daY ceremonY
Date/time: Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m.
Location: Fort Sam Houston
National Cemetery,
1520 Harry Wurzbach Road
Music prelude begins at 9:30
a.m. with ceremony at 10 a.m.
Guest speaker is Allen B. Clark Jr.,
West Point graduate and Vietnam
veteran.
beXar countY buFFalo soldiers
commemoratiVe ceremonY
Date/time: Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m.
Location: San Antonio National
Cemetery, 517 Paso Hondo St.
Comprised of former slaves,
freedmen and Black Civil War
veterans, the historic Buffalo
Soldiers persevered through difficult conditions to become some of
the most elite and most decorated
units in the U.S. Army. The annual
Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers
Commemorative Ceremony at the
San Antonio National Cemetery
honors these past heroes with a
keynote speaker, the reading of a
memorial list, military honors and
taps and a benediction.
Speaker is Rear Adm. Rebecca
McCormick-Boyle, commander,
Navy Medicine Education and
Training Command.
san antonio spurs
Veterans appreciation night
Date/time: Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Location: AT&T Center,
One AT&T Center Parkway
The San Antonio Spurs host
the Detroit Pistons with tip-off at
7:30 p.m. All military and friends of
CAM can access this special offer
by going to http://spursgroups.
com/2016veteransday and using
the OFFER CODE: MILITARY. Tickets
purchased through this offer will
receive a special military-themed
T-shirt at the game. Instructions
on where to pick up T-shirt will be
emailed to the address provided
at the checkout 48 hours prior to
the game. Children 24 months
and younger get in free.
u.s. militarY Veterans
parade and Wreath laYing
at the alamo
Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m.
wreath laying, parade at noon
Location: Alamo Plaza
The U.S. Military Veterans
Parade Association presents the
annual Veterans Parade in downtown San Antonio, during the San
Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s
Celebrate America’s Military
Week. Representatives from each
branch of the military services
and special guests speak briefly
then carry wreaths to the entrance
of the Alamo in recognition of the
armY West point tailgate partY
Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to
1:30 p.m.
Location: Alamo Beer
Company, 202 Lamar St.
Pricing: Tailgate, free; barbecue
plate and iced tea, $10; souvenir
beer glass (beer discounted with
purchase), $10; parking, $10;
shuttle bus to/from game (one
mile from tailgate to stadium),
$6. Kids’ activities include free
Fun Zone. For stadium game
tickets, contact Army West Point at
845-938-2526. For more information and tailgate registration,
visit https://secure.west-point.org/
wpsst/armytailgate. For information regarding tailgate registration, email [email protected].
segs4Vets mobiliZing
america’s heroes 5k run/Walk
Date/time: Nov. 13;
registration, 7:30-8:30 a.m.;
event, 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Freetail Tap Room,
2000 S. Presa St.
Segs4Vets (http://www.
Segs4Vets.org) provides mobility devices to military members
severely injured while serving
overseas in Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Segs4Vets started in
2005 and has since awarded over
1,400 mobility devices to men
and women who have served our
country. This event will feature
a 5K run/walk beginning at
the Freetail Tap Room, with an
awards ceremony and door prizes
afterwards. For more information,
email at [email protected]
or call 913-2563.
san antonio rampage
militarY FamilY night
Date/time: Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Location: AT&T Center,
One AT&T Center Parkway
The San Antonio Rampage
hockey team hosts the Charlotte
Checkers with the puck dropping
at 7:30 p.m. All military and
friends of CAM can access this
special discounted ticket offer by
going visiting http://spursgroups.
com/novemberhockey and using
the offer code MILITARY. Children
24 months and younger get in
free.
the stars behind the stripes
Date/time: Nov. 19, 6 p.m.
Location: La Fontana Springs,
27618 Natural Bridge Caverns
Road
A night of wining and dining
presented by Association of the
United States Army, myKlick and
friends. This special dinner is to
honor the spouses and significant
others who support the members
of the armed forces. Visit myklick.
city/myklick-10000strong-eventstars-behind-the-stripes/ for more
information.
SOME BUSINESSES
OFF LIMITS
There are a handful of
businesses in the local area
that are off-limits to armed
forces members without
exception. According to a
502nd Air Base Wing memorandum dated June 1,
all 502nd ABW and Joint
Base San Antonio military
members are forbidden to
enter any establishments
named Cracker Box Palace,
Planet K, Players Club of San
Antonio, MJM Autohaus or VIP
Spa. This also includes all
locations in Bexar, Atascosa,
Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe,
Kendall, Medina and Wilson
counties. These businesses
are areas where suspicious
activity has been reported
that is perceived as damaging to the military mission.
The JBSA Armed Forces
Disciplinary Control Board
meets quarterly to ensure
safety and security is a top
military priority. The establishment of off-limits areas
is a function of command
used to help maintain good
order and discipline, health,
morale, safety, and welfare
of personnel assigned and/or
located at JBSA and/or in the
Greater San Antonio.
Members will soon see
briefings on this information at newcomer orientation
meetings, commanders’ calls
and unit bulletin boards. For
details, call 652-5727.
November 4, 2016
TALESPINNER
AF releases advanced degree
and career broadening results
By Kat Bailey
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
An Air Force selection board has
chosen 334 officers for advanced
academic
degree
and
career
broadening opportunities.
As part of the force development construct, Advanced Academic Degree, or
AAD, and Special Experience Exchange
Duty, or SPEED, programs provide
targeted developmental education and
broadening developmental assignments
for officers in eligible career fields.
“This is a highly competitive selection
process,” said Capt. Melanie Huffman,
an Air Force Personnel Center assignments officer. “Selection for one of these
developmental education slots is an
important step in an officer’s career.”
According to Huffman, development
team special program selections are
some of the earliest opportunities for
officers to begin building a complementary skillset through advanced academic
degree or career broadening programs.
“These two programs help us deliberately develop Airmen by focusing on
the right education, training and experience at the right time in their careers,”
Huffman said.
These career broadening opportunities are available through AAD programs such as the Air Force Institute of
Technology, AFIT Faculty pipeline, U.S.
Air Force Academy Faculty pipeline and
National Reconnaissance Office.
SPEED
programs
include
the
Acquisition and Intelligence Experience
Exchange Tour, Acquisition and Logistics
Experience Exchange Tour, Comptroller
Operation Logistics Tour, Education
with Industry, U.S. Marine Corps
Expeditionary Warfare School and more.
Candidate lists have posted to myPers.
To view the list, select “Active Duty
Officer” from the dropdown menu and
search “AAD” or “SPEED.”
For information, go to http://www.
myPers.mil. Individuals can request a
myPers account by following instructions
at http://www.retirees.af.mil/myPERS/.
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
Lackland medics visit C-5M, school house
By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Nine Airmen with the 59th Medical
Support Squadron toured the C-5M
Super Galaxy and the Air Force Reserve
C-5M School House at the 733rd
Training Squadron, Oct. 26 at Joint
Base San Antonio-Lackland.
During the tour, the Airmen visited the aircraft on the flight line and
learned about its updates and modifications as well as the capabilities of
the largest aircraft in the Air Force
inventory. They also heard from the
aircraft’s pilots, loadmasters and flight
engineers in order to better understand
the wing’s flying mission and how their
support is crucial.
“It is important that our junior
Airmen understand what they do is
crucial to the fight,” said Chief Master
Sgt. Omar Hardman, Air Education and
Training Command health services manager. “We (leadership) wanted to make
sure that they understand how they affect every single mission that flies out
of Lackland.”
The tour concluded at the school
house where the Airmen learned about
the capabilities of the flight simulator,
how the ramp and door trainer is used,
and the intricacies of the air refueling
part task trainer where pilots learn how
to maneuver their aircraft to accept fuel
in-flight.
Seeing how his job supporting patient
movements comes to life on the C-5M
was especially impactful to one Airman.
“Seeing the mission and the aircraft
that are being utilized, it takes what
we do and gives me perspective,” said
Airman 1st Class Troy Brown, medical
administrator with the 59th Medical
Support Squadron.
Capt. Bilal Rizvi, a medical services
officer with the 59th MDSS, said he was
glad that the Airmen were afforded the
opportunity to visit the 433rd Airlift
Wing.
“Being in the hospital, we don’t get
to see the operational side of the Air
Force,” he said. “It’s very important for
our young Airmen to see how the medical mission supports the Air Force and
to see the aircraft on base like the C-5.”
Photo by Benjamin Faske
Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron climb into a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. In addition to boarding the Air Force’s
largest aircraft, the Airmen toured the formal training unit for all C-5M Super Galaxy
aircrew training.
November 4, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 9
FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN ANTONIO:
MEDICS PROVIDE CONSISTENT CARE IN THE AIR, ON THE GROUND
Photos by Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla
Members of the 59th Medical Wing En-Route Patient Staging System, emergency
medical services and Acute Lung Rescue Team transport a patient from a C-130J
Super Hercules to an ambulance at the Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San AntonioLackland Oct. 15. The teams each played an integral part in safely moving the patient,
a Navy Sailor, from the Navy Medical Center in San Diego to the San Antonio Military
Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, for care.
Maj. JK House, 959th Medical Group clinical nurse, tends to a patient
onboard an ambulance at Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Oct. 15. House is part of the 59th Medical Wing Acute Lung Rescue
Team, which is comprised of medics with extensive training of aeromedical
evacuation techniques.
PAGE 10
TALESPINNER
Developmental special duties
can boost an Airman’s career
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Across Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland,
commanders are constantly looking for the next
generation of Air Force leaders to fill developmental special duty, or DSD, assignments.
Developmental special duties are unique Air
Force leadership roles that augment an Airman’s
regular career. Airmen can voluntarily apply for
these jobs, yet most are recommended by their
supervisors through a biannual nomination process
after demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities. Airmen can spend up to four years in a DSD
role.
As Chief Master Sgt. Ezekiel Ross, 37th Training
Group superintendent, puts it, these are valuable
leadership positions for the Air Force that might
push Airmen out of their comfort zones, but shape
the entire branch.
“We want high performers,” Ross noted. “People
who are taking on new DSD roles might be apprehensive about the new duties at first, but these
Airmen end up doing what they’ve always done –
performing at a high level.”
The Air Force is emphasizing 10 DSDs in the
2016-2017 application cycles: technical training
instructor, career assistance advisor, military training instructor, military training leader, U.S. Air
Force Academy military trainer, Airman & Family
Readiness Center NCO, first sergeant, U.S. Air
Force Honor Guard member, recruiter and professional military education instructor.
Military training instructors are one of the
biggest focuses for the upcoming DSD cycle,
said Master Sgt. Breezy Hughes, 737th Training
Support Squadron MTI supervisor.
“This job is the number one job in the Air Force
– we can’t have an Air Force without MTIs,” Hughes
noted. “We need dedicated people with top-notch
mentorship and counseling skills.”
While most DSDs ask Airmen to step outside their
comfort zones, some Airmen assigned as MTIs can
be particularly nervous before they start, Hughes
continued.
“A lot of people don’t think they have what it
takes,” she explained. “But once they’ve been here,
we see them push their first flight down the bomb
run – they’re just smiling, seeing the impact they’ve
made.”
In addition to MTIs, the following are requirements for these DSDs:
•Career assistance advisor must be able to
speak clearly, communicate well with others, and
have superb counseling and briefing skills.
•Military training leader, similar to MTI, must
demonstrate strong leadership abilities, while also
being able to connect and empathize with the problems of young Airmen away from home in a new
environment.
•U.S. Air Force Academy military trainer must
be an effective communicator, leader, and should
be able to inspire young cadets through their military bearing and professional military image.
•Airman & Family Readiness Center NCO needs
to be prepared for a worldwide deployment and be
a proactive communicator.
• First sergeant must be able to understand,
empathize and assist Airmen in their unit with personal, marital and family-related problems.
•U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member, in order to maintain a cutting edge, performance-grade
level of appearance and physical execution, must
demonstrate a clean bill of health with regards to
back, knee and nervous disorders, and must have
a minimum height of 5 feet 10 inches for males
and 5 feet 6 inches for females.
•Air Force recruiter must be enthusiastic, selfdriven individuals who serve as ambassador for the
Air Force to future generations of Airmen.
•Professional military education instructor and
curriculum development course writer must demonstrate an ability to write, speak, and organize
educational material effectively, as well as a skill
for engaging with students directly.
In order to be nominated for these DSD position,
an Airman must meet several criteria:
1.Staff, technical and master sergeants must obtain required retainability through the end of each
applicable DSD cycle. For example: master sergeants must have less than 20 years total active federal military service date, or TAFMSD, by
the last month of their DSD cycle, with technical
sergeants at less than 16 years TAFMSD and staff
sergeants at less than 11 years TAFMSD.
2.Airman cannot have an upcoming assignment
on file, though exceptions due to Home Basing and
Follow On assignments will be considered on a
case-by-case basis.
3.Airman must demonstrate a skill level equivalent to the demands of the DSD position.
4.Airman’s overall performance assessment
rating must indicate either “Exceeded most, if not
all expectations,” or “Exceeded some, but not all
expectations.”
5.Airman must score above 80 on their previous two fitness tests, or above 90 on his/her most
recent test. Airman also cannot have failed any
portion of the test in the 12 months prior to the
application period.
6.Airman must have no record of disciplinary
action that resulted in an Article 15 or Unfavorable
Information File during the past three years, and
cannot have a conviction court martial.
November 4, 2016
November 4, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 11
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis
Senior Master Sgt. Jose Diaz, the 59th Medical Wing career assistance advisor, briefs Airman 1st Class Felipe Morais,
59th MDW personnel specialist, on retraining opportunities Sept. 22 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint
Base San Antonio-Lackland. Diaz advises Airmen on a wide array of subjects such as military benefits and entitlements,
retraining, special duty assignments and professional development.
Photo by Johnny Saldivar
Tech. Sgt. Jarmaine Thomas, 331st Training Squadron military training instructor, demonstrates basic marching moves to a flight of Airmen
during their first day of basic military training March 20, 2015, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
While DSD requirements might seem tough, the selective
application process ensures the Air Force finds the best
candidates for these crucial duties, Ross explained.
“This is a competitive environment,” Ross said. “So
Airmen that were big fish in a little pond prior to taking
on a DSD, they can expect to now be among the rest of
the standouts.”
Having a service record with a DSD is a definite plus
for any Airman in the promotion process, and it’s a necessity for master sergeants looking to become chief master
sergeants, Hughes said.
“If you’ve performed a DSD and completed it in an honorable way, that means leadership has recommended you
at some point,” Hughes explained. “It also demonstrates
you were able to step outside of your career field and excel
at a new skill. That can be the difference when someone
is comparing you to another promotion candidate.”
Ross agreed.
“Take an individual who was a vehicle mechanic, but
it now being transformed into an MTI,” Ross explained.
“They might be going from a very small team to leading fifty people. That’s leadership development – that’s an
Airman learning things about their leadership capabilities
they never knew before, and they wouldn’t have known
without taking on a DSD.”
That demonstration can make all the difference to a
commander considering applications for a promotion, Ross
added.
“Having a DSD on your record can catapult your career
past your peers,” he said.
While DSD roles can serve as a boon for individual
careers, putting good leaders in each role also benefits an
entire crop of rising Airmen, Ross explained.
“Because of the emphasis we’ve placed on DSDs, we’re
starting to see some of the ‘fruits of our labor’ with these
positions,” Ross said. “We now have some of the best
MTIs and instructors that we’ve ever seen – the talent is
just amazing. In turn, this means we’re producing better
recruits, better trainees and better students. The end result is a stronger, more capable Air Force.”
Photos by Johnny Saldivar
Photo by Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer
Senior Airman Adam Fiddler and a fellow Joint Base San
Antonio Honor Guard member fold an American Flag during a funeral ceremony Oct. 10, 2015 at the Fort Sam
Houston National Cemetery. The Honor Guard’s primary mission is to pay respect to fallen service members and support
ceremonial functions.
The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs during the Basic Military Training Coin and Retreat
Ceremony April 14 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Pfingston Reception Center. The drill team is the traveling
component of the honor guard and they promote the Air
Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public
and military venues to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen.
The men and women of the Air Force Honor Guard represent every member, both past and present, of the Air Force.
PAGE 12
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
JBSA encourages spouses to get connected through Heart Link
By Ashley Palacios
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs
Adjusting to military life can
be a daunting and overwhelming
process, especially for military
spouses.
Heart Link seeks to ease this
transition by introducing and explaining many aspects of military
life to spouses.
According to the Air Force Aid
Society, which funds the Heart
Link program, the objective of
Heart Link is to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness. Understanding
that spouses play an important
role in re-enlistment decisions,
which ultimately impact retention
rates, a major program goal is
to help spouses, especially those
who have been with the Air Force
five years or less, acclimate to the
Air Force environment.
The Heart Link program includes orientation activities consisting of presentations from base
agencies, interactive games and
exercises that should, by the end
of the day, leave spouses feeling they are an important and
respected part of the Air Force
team. A program highlight is a
visit from the wing commander
HERITAGE from Page 4
Essay entries are due by Monday at
4 p.m. For entry information, call
Blauvelt at 652-8529.
The student of the winning entry
will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, which will be presented to
the winner and their family during
a presentation at 4 p.m. Nov. 10
at the Taj Mahal, building 100 on
JBSA-Randolph.
Other events at JBSA-Randolph,
which will be held at the JBSARandolph Youth Center unless
noted, include:
• Today – American Indian
Heritage Month poster contest for
children ages 8-9, 8 a.m.
• Monday – High school art contest. Entries include art submissions from students at Randolph
High School and Randolph Middle
School. Judges will pick the
top three entries, which will be
awarded certificates.
who presents a coin to each spouse
for completing the program.
Heart Link is important because it normalizes the Air
Force lifestyle for new spouses
said Brandy Wright, Military &
Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant.
“Heart Link is a very special
opportunity for spouses to learn
so much about the Air Force,”
Wright said. “I have been a military spouse for 14 years, and I
still learned quite a few things
when I went through Heart Link.
“It’s a chance for spouses to
meet and interact with other
spouses, learn about finance,
protocol, Air Force acronyms
and other do’s and don’ts of the
Air Force,” Wright continued.
“We even teach them basic military protocol and the right attire
for various Air Force events
they may attend.”
Criselda Smith, Military &
Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, noted
the impact of the military spouse.
“If you look at the Heart Link
logo you’ll see a heart at the center,” said Smith. “In same way,
the military spouse is the heart of
the Air Force. They have a huge
impact on their spouse’s career.”
Currently, only 19 percent of
service members stay till retirement. A major factor in the
decision to separate from the Air
Force is typically the family.
“Often times, the military lifestyle of frequent moving and
leaving family and friends can
make spouses feel lonely or depressed, but the Air Force wants
them to know how much they are
valued,” Smith said. “They’re
part of a bigger family now and
this is their welcome home.”
Air Force spouses interested in attending the Wednesday
event at Joint Base San AntonioRandolph can call 652-5321.
Air Force spouses interested
in attending the Jan. 18, 2017,
event at JBSA-Lackland can call
671-3722. Air Force spouses assigned to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
can attend at either of the aforementioned locations.
• Tuesday – American Indian
cooking class, 4 p.m.
• Wednesday – American Indian
story telling at the JBSA-Randolph
Base Library, 9 a.m. Children of
JBSA parents, including home
schoolers, are invited to hear stories from American Indian culture.
• Thursday and Nov. 17 –
American Indian art class, 4 p.m.
The class is for children in the before
and after-school programs at the
youth center. Last year, youth who
took part in the class made art of
Native American houses, wigwams,
teepees and pueblos.
• Nov. 21 – Corn husk doll making class, 4 p.m.
Blauvelt said one of his favorite activities of National American
Indian Heritage Month is telling
stories of Native American culture
to children.
“They love listening to the flute
playing, and they love listening to
the stories,” he said. “(The stories)
teach a moral to a child on how to
obey nature and adults and what
happens if you don’t – the consequences of failed behavior – and
how to respect nature and obey
your parents.”
On Nov. 18, U.S. Army North will
host the National American Indian
Heritage Observance from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at the JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston Quadrangle. Activities
includes storytelling, food sampling and performances from tribal
dancers.
As of 2014, there were 5.4 million American Indians and Alaska
Natives living in the U.S., consisting
2 percent of the country’s population. Currently, 26,995 American
Indians are serving in the military,
making up 1.2 percent of the armed
forces’ population.
According to the Department
of Defense, there were 140,556
American Indian veterans as of
2014.
Courtesy graphic
November 4, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 13
Cyber security is the responsibility of all Airmen
By Philip Carter
21st Space Wing Public Affairs, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
Ever since the beginning of the Internet, individuals
have become more connected than ever before in all
aspects of life. Because of all the threats out there,
being aware of cyber security is the responsibility of
everyone.
Cyber security awareness Month is designed
to remind people, including Team Pete, to always be vigilant in protecting against threats,
such
as
malware,
spyware,
ransomware,
viruses, worms and Trojan horses.
According to the April 2015 Department
of Defense Cyber Strategy, the director of National
Intelligence named the cyber threat as the number one strategic threat to the United States from
2013-2015. This placed it ahead of terrorism for the
first time since the attacks of Sept. 11.
“Airmen need to always do their due diligence to
ensure security practices are adhered to and have
a secure awareness at all times when they are
working,” said Master Sgt. Matthew Mullen, 21st
Communications Squadron chief of cyber surety.
Cybersecurity liaisons assist the wing cybersecurity office in meeting their duties and responsibilities, which includes helping with any cybersecurity
tasks that happen within their unit. So if there is a
Graphic by Philip Carter
security incident where classified material gets onto
an unclassified system they’re the point of contact to
help clean it up.
The training encompasses computer security training and as well as Tempest.
“Tempest is a mission security,” Mullen said. “It
monitors emanations coming off of electronic devices and making sure that there’s proper separation
between classified and unclassified lines and systems,
to make sure there is no bleed over on electronic
emissions,”
“It is possible to have emissions from actual data
crossover when you have lines physically crossing
over each other or if you have wireless devices that
are too close to classified information,” Mullen said.
“They can pick up on these electronic signals coming
off of the classified systems. It’s possible for people
to use devices, to read these bits of information that
escape.
“This is the time to make sure that people are doing
their individual efforts to secure classified information
at work and at home,” Mullen said.
Below are some cyber tips to help anywhere.
•Create strong passwords: Include numbers,
symbols, capital and lower-case letters.
•Never leave electronic devices unattended,
always lock devices with a passcode no matter how
long it will be unattended.
•Always keep software updated, especially antivirus software.
•Don’t open links found in e-mails unless it’s from
someone you know, and never if it’s from a bank, the
IRS, or similar institutions. If you think it might be
valid contact them directly.
All Airmen are the last line of defense when it
comes to safeguarding classified materials. If it’s
not taken seriously, Mullen said “We run the risk of
having our advisories getting a hold of our classified
information and exploit it and use it against us.”
community
PAGE 14
LOCAL BRIEFS
NOV. 9
12:30 p.m. This museum was the
very first field museum designated
and opened by the U.S. Air Force.
Call 671-3972.
credit building
Review what makes up a credit
score and identify simple steps to
strengthen it. The Air Force
Federal Credit Union will facilitate
this workshop from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at Wilford Hall
Ambulatory Surgical Center, building
4600. Call 671-3722.
emploYment Workshop
Attendees to the employment
workshop can review the federal
employment process, resume writing techniques, interviewing skills
and how to dress for success. This
workshop will be from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m. Oct. 19 and Nov. 9 at the
Military & Family Readiness Center,
building 1249. Participants need to
bring a copy of their current resume.
To register, call 671-3722.
NOV. 10
airman heritage museum
60th anniVersarY
Joint Base San Antonio will be
celebrating the Airman Heritage
Museum’s 60th anniversary at
NOV. 17
role reVersal: caring For
those Who cared For You
Learn about available resources
to help with care for an aging parent, both long distance or locally.
Representatives from the Alamo Area
Council of Governments, Bexar Area
Agency on Aging, and Military &
Family Readiness Center will provide
information and tools to help make
informed choices on information
on humanitarian reassignments,
secondary dependency, cyber caregiving options, stress management,
TRICARE For Life, and more. This
workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon
at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical
Center, building 4600. Call 292-3543.
eFmp support group:
the teXas able program
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
Plachta, Founder or Reliant Wealth
Management, will discuss the Texas
Achieving 2 Better Life Experience
Program and how families can save
funds for the purpose of supporting
an individual with disabilities to
maintain their health, independence,
and quality of life. It will be noon
to 1:30 p.m. at Children Achieving
Maximum Potential, or CAMP facility,
building 3850. For more information,
call 672-3722.
purchase. Attendees are invited to
bring their lawn chairs, blankets and
dance the night away. For more details, call JBSA Community Programs
at 652-5763.
NOV. 22
create an eFFectiVe resume
Attendees to this workshop will
review key elements of a resume
and how to effectively write a career
objective and a descriptive accomplishment statement. Patrons should
bring a copy of their most recent
resume. It will be 2-4 p.m. at the
Military & Family Readiness Center,
building 1249. Call 671-3722.
NOV. 18
peer-to-peer support group
Caregivers have the opportunity
to build a support network, share
experiences and information. This
group meets 9-11 a.m. at Wilford
Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center’s
Airman Medical Transition Unit
conference room, fifth floor, building
4600. Call 557-2018.
NOV. 28
car seat 101
Attendees to this workshop can
learn which car seat is best for their
child and the best practice for car
seat safety. At the end of the class,
each family will receive a certificate
of completion, which grants a free
infant/toddler seat. The New Parent
Support Group will be hosting this
class 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Wilford
Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center,
room 9d09, located on the ninth
floor. The class is by appointment
only and is for military members
NOV. 19
the spaZmatics: nerds that rock
The Exceptional Family Member
Support Group’s November
meeting’s guest speakers Linda
Fernandez, Educational Opportunities
and Investments Division of the
Texas Comptrollers director, and Tim
The new wave 80s band, the
Spazmatics, perform a free concert
7:30–10:30 p.m. at the Joint Base
San Antonio Amphitheater. DJ OMG
Sounds will be spinning tunes
between their sets. There will be
food and beverages available for
CHAPEL SERVICES
Sun
Sun
Sun
Mon
9:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
—LITURGICAL SERVICE
Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun
Sun
Religious Education
9:45 a.m
10:45 a.m.
—CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun
7:30 a.m. (Room 175)
—SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Sat
12:30 p.m.
—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun
7:30 a.m. (Room 113)
—ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun
8 a.m.
—PENTECOSTAL
Religious Education Building – 6300
Sun
INFORMATIONAL
registration is open For
thanksgiVing Week camp
Youth Programs can keep kids
safe and entertained 6 a.m. to
6 p.m. Nov. 21-24. Registration is
open until Nov. 7. The cost varies by
household income and School Age
Care School Year paperwork must
be completed and on file prior to
registration. Call 671-2388.
FestiVe giant holidaY card contest
Units can win up to $500 in
Community Center Club Bucks in the
best giant holiday card competition
in December. Cards are displayed
throughout the holiday season in
front of the Gateway Club. The
competition is open to all Joint Base
San Antonio-Lackland units. Club
bucks can be used for unit functions
taking place at the club. If there are
less than 10 submissions for the
contest, one winner will be chosen. If
more than 10 cards are submitted, a
first and second-place winner will be
chosen. The submission deadline is
in December. For more information,
call 671-2619.
JBSA-LACKLAND
—PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Contemporary Service
Religious Education
Gospel Service
Youth Ministry
and their spouses. To register, call
292-5967.
8 & 9:30 a.m. (Room. 112)
—WICCA
Pfingston – Building 6330
Sun
—ISLAMIC
Global Ministry Center – Building 7452
9 – 11 a.m. (Auditorium)
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Open Circle
1st Tue
6 – 7 p.m.
—REFUGE STUDENT CENTER
Building 9122 (Tech. Training & TDY Students)
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 11 p.m.
12 – 9 p.m.
11 – 5 p.m.
—JEWISH
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sabbath & Kiddush Fri
Religious Education Sun
4:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
—ROMAN CATHOLIC
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Religious Education Sun
Adult Religious Education
Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun
Youth Ministry
Sun
Reconciliation
Sat
9 a.m.
Sun 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
11 a.m.
4 p.m.
4 – 4:45 p.m.
Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment
Jumu'ah Prayer
Fri
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
—BUDDHIST
Pfingston – Building 6330
Sun
10:45 a.m. (Room 175)
—HINDU WORSHIP
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sat
2 – 4 p.m. (Room 13)
—ECKANKAR
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sat
12:30 p.m.
—BAHA'I
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sun
11 a.m.
—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Religious Education Tue
LDS Service
Sun
6:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
—LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Every third Sun
For more details, contact Freedom Chapel at 671-4208
or Gateway Chapel at 671-2911
3:30 p.m.
KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
Air Force Aid Society
671-3722
Airman & Family Readiness Center
671-3722
Airman’s Attic
671-1780
American Red Cross
844-4225
Base Post Office
671-1058
Bowling Center
671-2271
DEERS
800-538-9552
Exceptional Family Member Program
671-3722
Family Child Care
671-3376
Legal Office
671-3362
Library
671-3610
Medical Appointment Line
916-9900
MPF ID Cards
671-6006
Outdoor Recreation
925-5532
TRICARE Info
800-444-5445
Thrift Shop
671-3608
Lackland Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandsc.org
Force Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.com
Lackland ISD
http://www.lacklandisd.net
Officers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.org
JBSA Public website
http://www.jbsa.mil
My Air Force Life
http://www.MyAirForceLife.com
November 4, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 15
JBSA medical facilities turn attention to diabetes in November
By Robert Goetz
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in
the United States, affecting some 29 million Americans,
according to the American Diabetes Association.
Another 86 million people in the U.S. are at risk for
diabetes, which is associated with long-term problems
such as kidney disease, neuropathy or foot complications, eye problems, skin complications, delayed gastric
emptying and mental and emotional problems.
However, diabetes – defined by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention as a condition in which
the body does not properly process food for use as
energy – is both controllable and preventable.
Joint Base San Antonio medical facilities, which take
a proactive approach to diabetes throughout the year,
are especially focused on the disease during American
Diabetes Month in November.
The Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center’s
Diabetes Center of Excellence at JBSA-Lackland is
partnering with the 59th Medical Operations Group
disease management nurses to offer a diabetes health
fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the WHASC Atrium.
A highlight of the event is a presentation by retired New
Orleans Saints defensive end Melvin Williams who will
speak on health and wellness.
At the JBSA-Randolph Medical Clinic, posters
and educational materials are on display
throughout the month
in the family health
clinic waiting room.
Type 2 diabetes,
which is characterized
by higher-than-normal
blood sugar levels, is
the most common type
of diabetes, accounting for more than 90
percent of cases, said Lt. Col. Anita Chapel, 359th Medical
Operations Squadron family nurse practitioner. Type
1 diabetes, which affects just 5 percent of diabetics,
requires insulin injections because the pancreas does
not make insulin or makes too little to move the glucose
in the body’s cells.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst,
frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision,
fatigue, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, dry
skin and slow healing of cuts and wounds.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, a
family history of diabetes and ethnicity, but the disease
is also associated with obesity and poor exercise habits.
“We cannot change our genetics or ethnicity, but
we can adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Chapel said. “Being
overweight increases your risk for developing type 2
diabetes, so maintaining a normal weight will reduce
your risk.
“In addition, a diet high in calories from any source
contributes to weight gain,” she said. “A diet low in
sugary foods, salty foods and high-fat foods is recommended, as is eating the recommended portions in each
food group.”
Aerobic exercise plays a key role in preventing type
2 diabetes because it helps the body use insulin better,
improves blood circulation and reduces risk for heart
disease by lowering blood glucose and blood pressure
and improving cholesterol levels, Chapel said.
Maj. Wanda Clemons, 59th MDOG Diabetes Center of
Excellence nurse manager, emphasized the importance
of a healthy lifestyle in managing type 2 diabetes.
“Medication alone cannot overcome the results of
a poor diet and lack of exercise,” she said. “Many in
the diabetic field are fond of saying, ‘Well-controlled
diabetes or controlled blood sugars is the cause of
nothing.’ The risk of complication is related to overall
glucose control.”
Healthy eating and exercising, along with following
the prescribed medication treatment plan outlined by
the provider, are the best ways for people to manage
their type 2 diabetes symptoms, Clemons said.
“It’s also important to check your blood sugars
consistently and being aware of high and low blood
sugars,” she said.
PAGE 16
TALESPINNER
November 4, 2016
JBSA caregivers provide care to children with special needs
By David DeKunder
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Knowledge, training, patience and understanding
are guiding Joint Base San Antonio caregivers who
are teaching and helping children with disabilities
and special needs.
Caregivers at child development programs at
JBSA locations provide care to children 6 weeks to 5
years of age, including those with special needs and
disabilities, whose parents are active-duty members,
Department of Defense civilians or military retirees.
At JBSA, a process is put into place to make sure
the developmental needs of children with special
need and disabilities are met, said Mary Sharp,
502nd Force Support Squadron JBSA-Randolph
Child Development Program training and curriculum specialist.
A child with special needs and disabilities has
a group of JBSA medical professionals, therapists, child development specialists and representatives from the Exceptional Family Member
Program who come up with a plan for caregivers to
follow in helping the child develop, Sharp said. The
team includes the parents of the child with special
needs and/or disabilities and caregivers, both of whom
provide input on the child’s developing needs.
“The point is for the team to ensure we are able
to meet the child’s needs and they are successful in
our program,” Sharp said.
The caregivers use the same teaching methods for
children with special needs and disabilities as they
do with all the children they care for, Sharp said.
The only difference is the process could be slower
for a child with disabilities and special needs.
“What we do is the same just at a different pace,”
Sharp said. “We are creating an environment for
special-needs children where they can come and
explore and develop at their own pace.”
Elaine Cherry, 502nd FSS JBSA-Randolph CDP
technician lead, said caring for a child with special
needs and disabilities presents itself with a different
set of challenges and situations each day.
“You have to be patient and calm,” Cherry said.
“Every day is different.”
Cherry said she treats a child with special needs
or disabilities just like all of the children she looks
after in the classroom.
“They are like any other child,” she said. “They
have a disability, but then they do not know that. If
you treat them like a normal child, they are going
to act like a normal child.”
Caregivers get additional training on caring for
children with special needs and disabilities from
Kids Included Together, a program that provides
skills and training to people and organizations who
serve children. Sharp said Kids Included Together
counselors provide training on social and emotional
development and behavior management of children
with special needs and disabilities to caregivers.
For information, contact the CDP at JBSA-Fort
Sam Houston at 221-5002; JBSA-Lackland at
671-3675/3168, 925-5747/3851 or 671-1052/1040; or
JBSA-Randolph at 652-4946 or 652-1140/1142.
502nd Civil Engineer Squadron member coaches all-girls team in marksmanship
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Even though Gunnery Sgt. James Graham Jr.
retired from the Marines back in 2008, you can
still hear him barking orders – this time to a group
of all-female sharpshooters on his off-duty time in
Bulverde, Texas.
Graham, a civil engineer with the 502nd Civil
Engineering Squadron from Joint Base San Antonio
-Camp Bullis, coaches Team McMillan, a four-person
shooting squad fresh off a strong performance back
in September at the National Rifle Association F-Class
National Championships in Lodi, Wis.
Graham was a longtime civilian marksmanship
mentor and junior coach at Camp Perry in Ohio
before moving to Texas. As a young Marine, he won
distinguished Marine Corps rifleman status – shooting 98 percent or better on his marksmanship examinations – and won a national shooting championship
with his Marine Corps team. Now, coaching Team
McMillan gives him a chance to stay sharp out on
the range.
Team McMillan isn’t your typical bunch of shooters,
and the former Marine isn’t your typical coach,
Graham explained.
“All four members are teenage girls,” Graham
said. “They don’t crack under pressure and they’re
coachable.”
Coaching Team McMillan was a natural fit for
Graham. He would take his daughters, Makenna and
Lynzie, to shooting ranges and hunting trips early in
their lives. Graham assembled the team after finding
out that niece, Janna Voges, and family friend, Bailey
Bass, the other half of Team McMillan, also had a
keen eye for shooting.
Courtesy photo
Retired Marine Corps Sgt. James Graham, 502nd Civil
Engineering Squadron employee, poses with his marksmanship team during the National Rifle Association F-Class
Championships in September at Lodi, Wisc.
The team spends hours practicing at a 300-yard
shooting range in Graham’s front yard in Bulverde,
just north of San Antonio.
“I’m a retired, old shooter, so being out there on
the line – hearing the wind, seeing the water ripple
near your target – keeps me on top of my game,”
Graham said.
“I spent all my life as a grunt pulling triggers for
the Marine Corps, then being an instructor for the
Marines, so laying down a scope and teaching these
girls to ‘call wind’ was just my niche,” Graham added.
Despite the generational gap, the group responds
well to his gruff, Marine-style motivation.
“It’s a balance between tough love and encouragement,” he noted. “But what’s funny is that with Janna
and Bailey – at first they weren’t used to the coaching. But Lynzie and Makenna, they’ve been around
that their whole life, and they’re not afraid to stand
up and put me in my place.”
That usually occurs when Graham makes the two
younger Grahams start singing cadence.
“They get embarrassed about that,” Graham
laughed. “But they all have a military mindset now.”
Above all things, Graham preaches consistency
and attention to detail in a sport where fractions of
a centimeter can make all the difference.
“With shooting, you’re constantly going through
the motions, making sure you call the shot, set up
properly, and perform the same way each time you
head out to the range,” Graham said. “When you
focus on setting up, walking through your process,
you don’t waste time worrying … or getting nervous.”
While the sight of an all-girls team might be an
unusual one at many competitions, Graham noted the
girls are taking on larger roles in both NRA sports
and in combat roles in the military.
“Some of our hardest military shooters are
females,” Graham explained.
If anything, Graham continued, his all-girls team
has a distinct advantage:
“We’re never nervous,” he chuckled. “The girls
are talking, having fun – they’re not worried about
whether they’re going to miss. They don’t crack
under the pressure like some of the guys do.”
Graham has Team McMillan prepping for another
competition in Phoenix, Ariz. in February 2017. Afterwards, they plan on attending the world championships in Ottawa, Canada in August 2017.
“This group, they apply all the details and they
don’t lose track of things,” Graham said. “They’re a
great group to coach.”
November 4, 2016
Congratulations to the
following 85 Airmen
for being selected as
honor graduates among
the 851 Air Force basic
military trainees who
graduate Nov. 4:
320th Training Squadron
–Flight 735
Kossi Bissadu
Austin Kessler
Edward Wigton
–Flight 736
Hayden Cotton
Gian Giraldo
Kyle Shaw
Mason Thompson
Mason Wight
–Flight 737
George Alverio
Noah Beardslee
–Flight 738
Jennifer Donnellon
Alexandria Esquivel
Rachel Herrera
Rachel Plautz
Maegan Price
322nd Training Squadron
–Flight 745
Trent Abshire
Kaya Coletrain-Garcia
Zachary Pampuro
Damon Tillis
–Flight 746
James Bell
Jacob Jones
Mason Maloney
Quentin Otero
Cody Reeves
Charles Vagnier
–Flight 747
Eligio Contreras
Tyler Webb
–Flight 748
Shanice Brown
Kelly Ford
Laurel Kimmell
Demani Scott
Natalie Sheehey
323rd Training Squadron
–Flight 739
Joven Francisco
Austin Johnson
James Lavia
Caleb Mcneil
Lukas Otteson
TALESPINNER
Troy Roever
Jonathan Zakhary
–Flight 740
Robert Jeannetti
Kyle Sweezo
Spencer Wendrick
–Flight 741
Bryant Elliott
Devin Foxx
Ryan Hussung
Jarod Lamont
Gabriel Lopez
Jacob Ochs
Reinaldo Ramos
–Flight 724
Faith Brown
324th Training Squadron
–Flight 743
Dennis Brooks
Jeremiah Cronk
Richard Deiss
Derek Holt
Garrett McGregor
–Flight 744
Toffano Barcellos
Hallie Olsen
Jenessa Preston
Mccall Rafferty
331st Training Squadron
–Flight 731
William Davis
Sean Flickinger
Joshua Germenis
Yussel Padilla
Scott Singleton
Jordon Varnier
Nicholas Verity
–Flight 732
Adam Coyle
Jonathan Gwin
Michael Lanzalotti
Elden Lowery
Charles Myrick
Christian Oleka
Brock Szelestey
Rudolph Woodward
–Flight 733
Christian Alston
Richard Calo
Joshua Dunny
Shawn Lanphear
Lee Maynard
Gabriel Stines
Dustin Weitkunat
–Flight 734
Zion Adkins
Sandra Berry
Katlynn Castillo
Abigail Stewart
Top BMT Airman
Conner Adams
323rd TRS, Flight 717
Most Physically Fit
–Female Airmen
McCall Rafferty
324th TRS, Flight 744
Natalie Sheehey
322nd TRS, Flight 748
Katlynn Castillo
331st TRS, Flight 734
Hanna Rohr
331st TRS, Flight 734
–Male Airmen
Jeremiah Cronk
324th TRS, Flight 743
Lukas Otteson
323rd TRS, Flight 739
Travis Edwards
322nd TRS, Flight 745
Samuel Espada Rios
323rd TRS, Flight 740
–Female Flights
320th TRS, Flight 738
331st TRS, Flight 734
324th TRS, Flight 744
323rd TRS, Flight 742
322nd TRS, Flight 748
–Male Flights
324th TRS, Flight 743
331st TRS, Flight 731
323rd TRS, Flight 739
320th TRS, Flight 737
322nd TRS, Flight 747
331st TRS, Flight 732
331st TRS, Flight 733
Top Academic Flights
331st TRS, Flight 731
320th TRS, Flight 736
322nd TRS, Flight 746
322nd TRS, Flight 748
331st TRS, Flight 733
323rd TRS, Flight 740
324th TRS, Flight 743
323rd TRS, Flight 739
322nd TRS, Flight 747
320th TRS, Flight 738
322nd TRS, Flight 745
331st TRS, Flight 732
320th TRS, Flight 735
320th TRS, Flight 737
323rd TRS, Flight 741
324th TRS, Flight 744
331st TRS, Flight 734
323rd TRS, Flight 742
PAGE 17
All-Air Force men’s hoops roster announced
Story and photo by Jose T. Garza III
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
The 12-player roster for the AllAir Force men’s basketball team was
announced Oct. 24 at the Joint Base
San Antonio-Lackland Health and
Wellness Center.
Representing the All-Air Force
team are: 1st Lts. Michael Fitzgerald
(Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.) and
William Kammerer (Eglin Air Force
Base, Fla.), 2nd Lt. Scott Adler (Eglin
Air Force Base, Fla.), Staff Sgts.
James Lewis (Spangdahlem Air Base,
Germany), Anthony McDowel (MacDill
Air Force Base, Fla.) and Brian
Washington, Senior Airmen Daveon
Allen (Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.),
Dorian Donald (Misawa Air Base,
Japan), Jahmal Lawson (Aviano Air
Base, Italy), Anthony Morris (Maxwell
Air Force Base, Ala.) Travares Peterson
(Joint Base Andrews, Md.) and
Gregory Wilson (Joint Base LangleyEustis, Va.)
Twenty-five Airmen participated in a nine-day training camp at
Chaparral Fitness Center Oct. 14-23
to earn a spot on the team and represent the Air Force in its quest for
a ninth straight Armed Forces Men’s
Basketball Championship.
The team then traveled to Marine
Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sunday to
compete against the men’s basketball teams from All-Army, All-Marine Corps and All-Navy in an eightday tournament that will determine
the Armed Forces Men’s Basketball
champion.
Leading the All-Air Force team for
the first time is Capt. Scott Stucky, Air
Force Life Cycle Management Center
acquisitions officer from WrightPatterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Air Force Sports officials selected
Stucky, who currently serves as an
assistant men’s basketball coach at
Beavercreek High School in Ohio, to
coach the All-Air Force team. Stucky
brings basketball experience to the
team from his days as an Air Force
Academy men’s basketball player
back in 2008 to 2012.
Matthew Holland, a former AllAir Force men’s basketball player,
encouraged Stucky to submit his resume for the coaching position.
“I am honored to be a part of
the Air Force men’s basketball program,” said Stucky. “I know the history of this program, so it means a
Senior Airman Jahmal Lawson, 31st
Security Forces Squadron defender at
Aviano Air Base, Italy; goes for a dunk during All-Air Force Men’s Basketball practice
Oct. 25 at the Chaparral Fitness Center.
tremendous amount to me to work
with the Air Force’s best basketball
players in continuing to uphold the
tradition of the program.”
Veteran players are also driven to
continue the program’s excellence.
Lewis, 52nd Comptroller Squadron
financial comptroller and eight-time
Armed Forces men’s basketball
champion, is determined to win a
ninth gold medal for the Air Force.
“Success is contagious. I hope
success bleeds out to my teammates
because I want them to experience
being the best team in the Armed
Forces,” said Lewis. “We have a very
high reputation amongst the other
services for being the best because
they are always gunning for us.”
Retaining Armed Forces basketball
supremacy is important to Fitzgerald,
an AFLCMC cost analyst.
Fitzgerald, member of the 2014
championship team, said his goal is
to keep the team’s title streak alive.
“I would like to frame another gold
medal or give it to my child someday,”
said the 6-foot-6-inch guard. “Calling
myself an Armed Forces gold medalist is an honor.”
Visit
https://www.myairforcelife.
com/sports/ for information about
participating in Air Force sports
programs.
PAGE 18
TALESPINNER
To advertise in the
Talespinner,
call 250-2345 for
classifieds
or contact
Michelle Bogue
at 250-2052 for
retail ads
November 4, 2016
REAL ID Act extension update
By 502nd Security Forces and Logistics
Support Group
The REAL ID Act was enacted to
implement the 9/11 Commission’s
recommendation that the Federal
Government “set standards for the
issuance…of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
The Act prohibits Federal agencies
from accepting, for official purposes, driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting
the Act’s minimum standards.
The most up-to-date information
on the REAL ID Act can be found
at
https://www.dhs.gov/currentstatus-states-territories. Users can
register on the Department of
Homeland Security website to receive notifications of changes and
updates to the REAL ID Act.
NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3
painting, an obstacle course, as well as
tours of the USO and explanations of
USO programs.
diabetes aWareness health Fair noV. 16
The Medical Management/Disease
Management department will be hosting
a Diabetes Health Fair 9 a.m. 3 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory
Surgical Center Atrium for Diabetes
Awareness Month. There will be various
clinics and vendors participating and
States that are compliant with
the current REAL ID Act
Alabama, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,
Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada,
Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Extension states and territories
The following states have been
approved for extension through
Oct. 10, 2017: American Samoa,
Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, N.
Marianas, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota,
Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Texas.
Limited extension states and
territories
giving out very useful information that
will cater to all diabetic patients. Guest
presenter Melvin Williams who retired
from the New Orleans Saints, will be in
attendance to speak about health and
wellness. For additional information
about this event, or to participate as a
vendor, call 292-2939.
Flu Vaccines aVailable
Influenza vaccines are available at
Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center
atrium, building 4600, for military
members, retirees and their dependents,
aged 9 and older. The pediatric vaccine
The following states have extensions good through June 6, 2017:
Alaska, California, Oregon and
Virginia.
States and territories currently
under review
Real ID Act enforcement begins
on Jan. 30, 2017 for the following states and territories: Guam,
Montana and the Virgin Islands.
Noncompliant states and
territories
Real ID Act enforcement begins
on Jan. 30, 2017 for the following
states and territories: Kentucky,
Maine, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Minnesota, Missouri, Washington
and South Carolina.
Minnesota and Washington are
issuing Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
that are good for installation access
control.
for children, aged 6 months to 8 years
old, are available at the Pediatric Clinic
through the child’s primary care manager and at Immunizations Clinic. The
hours of service are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Flu vaccination is mandatory for all
military members and hospital employees. In general, contractors are not eligible. Military members can check their
individual medical readiness status as
well as retrieve shots records for themselves and dependents under 16 years
old at https://imr.afms.mil/imr/MyIMR.
aspx. For more details, call 292-4278.