News

McChord Reservists bring their bosses to work

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Jasmine Higgins
  • 28th Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Having two jobs can often be difficult, especially if one takes time away from the other, one weekend a month and two consecutive weeks throughout the year to be exact.

Welcome to the Air Force Reserve.

Employer support can go a long way for these Citizen Airmen serving in the Air Force Reserve. But along with support must come understanding, and while some Reservists may take the time to explain their military duties, others take it a step further and show them.

May 2, the 446th Airlift Wing invited a group of Reservists' full-time employers to attend Employer Orientation Day at McChord Field.

The Employer Orientation Day mission is to strengthen the Reservist-employer relationship by providing employers a better understanding of their Airman's military missions and obligations.

"Employer Orientation Day is an opportunity for Reservists to invite their employers out and see what we do as Reservists, because a lot of employers may not know what life is like on the other side, so to speak," said Master Sgt. Minnette Mason, 446th AW Public Affairs superintendent. "It's an opportunity for them to see firsthand what we do, and also learn about the 446th Airlift Wing."

Throughout the day, the employers were introduced to different types of equipment used by Reservists to protect themselves from chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear attacks, explosive ordinance disposal techniques and equipment, and security forces.

"We definitely want to make sure they learn as much as they can in the little bit of time they have here, because they're only here just a few hours," Mason said. "So we try to pack in everything we can."

Employers were eventually brought onto the airfield where they received a demonstration of the wing's C-17 aeromedical evacuation patient demo, and an air transportation cargo load, followed by a two-hour training flight in a C-17, which included an airdrop demonstration and a combat offload.

"What I appreciated was when we were on the aircraft and we saw the Reservists sit side-by-side with their employers -- and they're bonding at that moment -- the Reservist is so proud of what he does in the military, and the employer seeing why they're so proud. I think if anything, that's kind of the take home for the day," Mason said. "We wanted the employer to learn about us a little bit deeper, that this is where we go one weekend a month, two weeks out of the year, or whatever the case may be, and the Reservists to have that time to kind of shine. 'This is what I do, and I'm proud to be a Reservist.'"

While on the flight, the employers were served lunch and given the opportunity to look around the aircraft to see things, such as the flight deck and interact with the aircrew operating the C-17.

"The opportunity to talk first hand with people in the Reserve unit and see the passion they have for their job -- It gives you an appreciation for it," said Rashell Rosenkranz, from the Western Service Center and employer of a Reservist. "Also how well everyone knew their job -- when you asked them questions about stuff, how much info they could give you (was amazing)."

The day ended with employers being released to their Reservists in order to shadow their workplaces for an in-depth understanding of their day-to-day military lives.

"I'm in awe of their dedication and the sacrifice that they make, and some of the conditions of the things they go out and do," Rosenkranz said. "I'm completely supportive and it was awesome to see firsthand today."