“I came into the military in my 30s. And while I know there are others who came in older than I was, for me, it was something I wanted to do for a very long time.
I originally wanted to enlist as active duty but my dad got sick and I was an only child, so I put it all on hold. Then I had a baby, so that stopped the tracks. When I heard about the Virginia Air National Guard, it was a better fit for me because I’d get to stay here in my hometown, be with my child, and not leave family or my support system. I love it!
I do my best to make sure the people in my unit are taken care of because my job is essential to the mission. We as command support staff are like the backend of all the good stuff people see.
I put in orders for people to come in to do their job, and to deploy, and to make sure their finances and Government Travel Card are good to go. I also handle awards and decorations...I just try to make sure that my people, for the most part, are taken care of. If it’s not for me to do, then I try to make sure I help the supervisors in any way I can.
I like people. I’m a people person, and that helps me be able to conduct myself in a positive manner. Not all people know how to handle a customer and the questions they have, or how to smile even when you don’t want to smile -- to just be able to be that person and be happy.
That’s just me as a person. I’ve always been that way. Trying to go above and beyond to make sure people are good. Sometimes you can feel unwanted or like people don’t care, so I try to do that. I try to make people feel special and just let them know that I care.
As I grow in rank or in my military career, I would like to be a mentor to somebody.
I’m in Airman Leadership School now, and there’s a lot of information but I’m looking forward to what it brings. The opportunities it’ll bring to make me a better leader, to help people coming in after me, and to be able to guide them in the right direction.”
- Senior Airman Gabrielle Bowers, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron command support staff