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'I have the greatest job'

  • Published
  • By Patti Busser
  • 20th Medical Group
I will never know the feeling of soaring "into the wild blue yonder," and I am not engaged in any fascinating strategic planning. I have never seen a Pentagon "War Room" and I am not privy to the inner workings of the minds of great generals. My only trip to the White House happened during the Carter Administration, on a 6th grade field trip, and to the best of my recollection we were not allowed near the Oval Office. Yet, I have the greatest job in the Air Force. "Why?" you might ask. Well, because every day I make sure that Air Force families are safe and healthy. I make sure commanders and first sergeants and all our base leaders know what resources are available to help support their Airmen. I work with staff members from every base-helping agency as we constantly collaborate on services and programs to support Air Force families. I collaborate with other professionals whose purpose at Shaw is to protect Airmen and their families. What do I do? I am the Family Advocacy Outreach Manager. What is that, you say? It doesn't sound impressive. Well, give me a minute. 

Every day the Air Force has hundreds of social workers, like me, working for you and your family. We work to make sure families have the tools they need to function in ever-changing environments and ever-changing missions for the Air Force member. We work with a variety of base programs and supportive services, all to strengthen families. 

We work with nurses and other support staff to provide education to family members through the New Parent Support Program. From the time you find out you are expecting your first child, we are there to answer any questions and offer education to keep you as healthy as possible and once your child is born, we stay involved with on-going education and resources. 

For families who are struggling to deal with all the stress military life can produce, we also provide supportive counseling to couples. If you need additional services, we will help you find other supportive programs through base and local helping agencies. 

As part of a team from other base agencies, we educate Airmen and dependents on ways to prevent family violence, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual assault and other issues that threaten our Airmen's safety and health. 

Every day, I come in contact with appreciative Airmen and dependents alike who feel their families are safer and healthier because of something Family Advocacy or another base agency was able to provide. 

I talk with commanders and first sergeants who are always searching for that one extra resource that can help ensure the health and safety of someone in their squadron. 

I hear the success stories of Air Force families who made it through a long separation with ease, because of the resources that were available to them. 

I know with every home visit the New Parent Support Program nurses make, our Air Force members are safer and healthier. With every supportive counseling session our Family Advocacy Program treatment managers provide, our Airmen and family members are safer and healthier. With the education provided to families about local resources by our Family Advocacy program assistants, our Air Force families are safer and healthier. 

I also know that the stronger our Air Force families are, the better equipped the military member is to complete his or her job successfully. The fact that an aircraft mechanic can concentrate on the job rather than being distracted by a family situation might be because of the efforts made by an Air Force social worker. 

Obviously, that Airman's success affects the success of the entire Air Force. The success of the Air Force directly affects the safety of America. 

So, now is it clear to you? Sure, I sometimes grumble about the bureaucratic idiosyncrasies of my job. Then, something like the roar of an F-16 -- the sound of freedom -- will remind me of who I am. Instantly, I remember I work to help the families of the Air Force of the United States. I have the greatest job in the world!