News

McChord Reserve volunteer returns from overseas deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn McCullough
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
When most people think of Airmen deploying to the Middle East they think of combat, but not about money. Staff Sgt. Brett Daniel thought about nothing else.

Daniel, a financial services technician and an Air Force Reservist at the 446th Airlift Wing, put in to deploy as a cashier at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar from September 2013 to January 2015.

For more than 100 days, he worked for the 379th Expeditionary Comptroller Squadron. He provided service members with services such as accommodation exchanges, reverse accommodation exchanges, issuing cash cards, cashing out and paying cash collection vouchers, and renting out point-of-sale machines.

Throughout the deployment, he worked six 12-hour shifts a week and on his weekly day off, he put in at least half a day keeping up with additional duties.

"The mission was twofold," said Daniel, a six year veteran of the Air Force Reserve. "One is moral support, so people can get money. The other one is flying mission support where air crew exchange money when they go farther downrange."

Though it was a lot of work, Daniel said the time flew by and he was happy to do his part.

"I like working in finance," said the Graham, Wash. native. "I like helping people with their pay. I know it's one of the biggest concerns a people have. It's a way I can help further the mission and help people by lessening the burden on their mind. I can see the end effect of that."

One Security Forces Airman came in with a missing wallet, a shut off travel card, and an inoperative cash card. Daniel helped him file paperwork for an advance.

"He came in basically in tears and he left with cash and a sense of security," Daniel said. "I like that I can see my contribution to the mission. Its physical evidence of getting people paid so they're happy."

Master Sgt. Amy Baker, Daniel's supervisor and senior NCO said she wasn't surprised that her first Airman to deploy was Daniel. She was excited for his new experience and was impressed with the amount of work that he did while he was gone.

"It's great that he volunteered to go," she said. "He really wants to help others and the Air Force. He's dedicated. He even shared a lot about his time there with us and talked about how training compares to real life. It's valuable information."

When Daniel deploys again, he hopes to go to a more remote base where he can use more of his financial experience to help Airmen.

"If you get a cashier, pay technician, or a dispersing agent role farther downrange, you can do a lot more," he said. "You're actually doing more of the [Air Mobility Command] logistics side where you're helping air crew do more."

Right before he deployed he worked at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. His supervisors at the 340th  Flying Training Group have asked him to come back on orders to continue as the NCOIC of pay for the Air Force Reserve senior flying instructors where he can continue his commitment to helping Airmen.