Commander's Corner

Published Jan. 21, 2014

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Commander's Corner is a forum for the Dyess community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Dyess directly to Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing commander. Each week the Dyess Public Affairs office solicits questions via the official Dyess Facebook page, offering people an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers directly from the wing commander.

QUESTION

Justin Cardenas - Sir what was your path to becoming an officer and how
hard would you think in today's Air Force to become one do you think it is
harder than it was when you come in what are your thoughts.

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE
Justin - What a great question! I imagine that you're asking this
question because commissioning as an officer is an option you're interested
in, so I commend you for actively seeking mentorship and advice. I hope
you're having these kinds of discussions about your career direction with
several different NCOs and officers, as well - so that you have a variety of
perspectives. As for my personal path to becoming an officer, I'll be
honest, Justin - I joined the Air Force because I wanted to fly. Both of my
parents were pilots, so the planes were what first attracted me to the Air
Force. I decided to join the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the
University of Missouri and began working towards my commission. Truly, it
wasn't until I graduated from pilot training and began working with both
officers and enlisted personnel that I started to understand that being an
aviator wasn't my number one job - the Air Force expected me to be a leader
first. To this day, I believe that the number one job of a leader is to grow
more leaders, so I want to give you this advice: the same three
commissioning sources exist today that existed when I became a 2nd
Lieutenant - ROTC, The U.S. Air Force Academy, and Officer Training School.
If you want to become an officer, explore these options, decide which is the
best route for you, then create a plan and stick to it. Logistically, it may
be more difficult to become an officer than it was in the 1980s when I
commissioned, when the Air Force was heavily recruiting rather than reducing
in size, but believe me when I say that the Air Force will always have a
place for quality Airmen. Regardless of whether you remain in the enlisted
corps or become an officer, I want you to understand that Airmen can be
leaders at every level - from our Airmen fresh out of basic and tech school,
to our General Officers at all levels. You've already made the most
important decision - to serve. From here, decide what your goals are and go
for them!

QUESTION

Krista - Is there a place a spouse can go to help find work?
I was told more than once that I was more then qualified for positions, but
they wouldn't hire a military spouse (so much for Abilene being military
friendly, I've NEVER been turned down for a job for that!) or I was over
qualified for other jobs in Abilene. I ended up getting a low end retail job
that my husband and I decided I should leave and I went home when he
deployed. I am now a full time student, but will be looking for a job when
he gets back from his deployment in just over a month. I have over 10 years
of experience in logistics and supply chain management, but going to school
so I can switch fields and hopefully find a job easier in Medical Records
(hope to work for the VA [or on base] after graduation). Sorry to be so long winded!
Looking forward to being back in Abilene soon. Have a wonderful day. Krista

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

Krista - First, I hope you and your husband are able to spend some
much-deserved time together when he returns. I appreciate all of our
military spouses and family members, who serve alongside our Airmen,
providing them support and stability, and maintaining their morale so that
they may focus on executing the mission. The career sacrifices often made by
military spouses because of frequent moves, or so that they may perform
dual-parenting roles while their loved one is away, are not lost on me.
There is some hope, though, Krista. If you haven't been to the Airman and
Family Readiness Center here on base, I hope you will stop by when you
return.The AFRC has a job board that can help you identify position openings
for businesses that will not disqualify you for being a military spouse -
many of these businesses have actually reached out to the AFRC to solicit
help in filling their available positions by asking to have their openings
posted on the job board. The readiness center can also assist you with
resume building to ensure you're marketing your skills as best as possible
and once you've secured an interview, they'll even sit down with
you to practice potential questions and answers. I would also suggest that
you keep an eye out on usajobs.gov for any openings at Dyess you might
qualify for. I understand that you're not in the area right now, but whenyou
return, I highly suggest that you network with some of the other spouses and
families. I imagine you will begin to hear about job openings through word
of mouth, as well. You can get involved by contacting your key spouse, or by
joining the Dyess Spouse's Club. I'm sorry to hear that this has been your
experience thus far, but I firmly believe, if you stay motivated, you will
be able to find a job in the local area. I wish safe travels for you and
your husband's return to Abilene, and thank you for your question.

QUESTION

Carly Rose- Do you know when the Arts and Crafts Center and Airman's
Attic is going to reopen? I have pieces of personal art there right now
thatI need to pick up. Thank you for your help.

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

Carly - Unfortunately, as you may know, the Skills Development Program -
also known as the Arts and Crafts Center - and the Airman's Attic sustained
catastrophic water damage Dec. 9. Plans to renovate the damaged areas are
underway, but may take as long as a year to complete. In the meantime, any
Skills Development projects that have not yet been returned to their
ownerscan be claimed by calling Mr. Keith Quinn at Outdoor Recreation,
696-2402. Sadly, though, all of the on-hand inventory in the Airman's Attic
was lost due to the water damage - I apologize for being the bearer of bad
news. Currently, our Force Support Squadron and base leaders are working to
identify viable alternate locations to temporarily relocate both programs.
In the case of Skills Development, a significant amount of the specialized
equipment was damaged or destroyed, but we hope to be able to offer a
modified, scaled-down version of the services that were previously offered.
Once these services are reopened to the public, a notice will be sent out to
let folks know precisely what services will be offered by the Skills
Development Program, and to solicit support from Team Dyess to help us
restock those Airman Attic items. I hope you are able to recover
your artwork, Carly. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.