Det 420 Flyer

Every Day is a New and Different Challenge
By Col Patricia (Mankowski) Refsdal, USAF, Det 420 Class of 1975

  It does not seem like twenty-eight years ago that I set out, packing the diploma and commission, headed for my first assignment in the United States Air Force. During my college years, I lived at home which meant my life to this point had been very sheltered. So it was with a very mixed bag of emotions that I arrived at Chanute AFB in Illinois to complete six months of technical training in aircraft maintenance (AMOC). 

   The apprehension continued as the time approached when I would learn my new base of assignment and apply those newly acquired skills. A question loomed in my mind, “How does a young 2^nd Lt go about managing large numbers of maintainers and airplanes on a very large flight line?”  It didn’t help matters knowing that I was one of the first, few women to enter this career field. Upon arrival, I discovered not only was I the only female officer in the Maintenance Complex but also within the entire 388^th TFW. Much later in this assignment, it would be revealed that the Field Maintenance Squadron Commander would threaten his Branch NCOICs with the assignment of the new female officer, as Branch OIC, if the Branch didn’t maintain standards. 

   Having said all this, my transition to active duty was smooth, thoroughly enjoyable and very rewarding.  It is both a daunting feat and an awesome journey to settle into your career field and attain the respect of your subordinates. If I were to suggest a roadmap for this journey, it would be this; have a clear idea of the duty position including the expectations, ask lots of questions to gain understanding, don’t be afraid to rely on your senior NCOs, take care of your people, always be honest, admit your mistakes and know where to go for answers when assistance is needed. 

    This first assignment can be looked upon as an adventure of sorts. Everything around you is so unfamiliar and there is so much to learn. Your reading assignments don’t end with tech school. You will need to read the Air Force directives and also the local operating instructions pertaining to your career field. One of the best ways to start earning the respect of others is to demonstrate your eagerness to learn and begin to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained.

   Everyday is a new and different challenge. The problems you solve and the projects you complete will start to grow you as an officer and eventually others will look to you as an emerging leader. Sometimes, these challenges will take you outside the normal confines of your career field. As a young Lieutenant, I acted as a Summary Court Officer upon the drowning death of a young Sergeant, as the Escort Officer  for parents after losing their only son in an aircraft fire, intervening in the affairs of a young female airman who was seven months pregnant and didn’t know it, completing a 30 day TDY to Red Flag at Nellis AFB, appointed as an Investigating Officer in the theft of food from the 388^th TFW Services Squadron, selected as Madam Vice at the 388^th TFW Wing Dining-Out, or assigned as a team member to complete a site survey of Barber’s Point, Hawaii.

    As a more senior officer, the list gets more versatile; speak at the local American Legion Memorial Day ceremonies, plan the 388^th TFW picnic, a wife asking that I sit with her at the hospital as she has life support removed from her husband, deliver a eulogy at the funeral in the middle of Brooklyn (New York), chair the committee to welcome home the 913^th AW from Desert Storm, head a maintenance deployment to the Persian Gulf, oversee the 514^th AMW Change of Command ceremonies, serve as a NAF-level Battlestaff Director, advocate for the award of a decoration for heroism for one of my sergeants present during the bombing of the Khobar Towers, fly into Caracas, Venezuela to deliver supplies to the U.S. Embassy, sit on the Air Force Reserve Lt Col Promotion Board, speak at AMOC graduation ceremonies at Sheppard AFB, or fly to Elmendorf AFB to refuel transient fighters. The list is endless, but these kinds of experiences help to shape you as an officer and a leader.

   The easiest way to give a summation of my experiences throughout my career and in turn, how you can use this to map out your journey, is to remember the Air Force Core Values.  Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.....that is all that’s needed to guide your actions and decisions, ensuring a long and successful career.

      Good luck in your future journeys!