Photo By Tech. Sgt. Areca Wilson | Senior Airman Robert Gulliver, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power...... read more read more
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AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy--The final, resounding line of the Airman’s Creed reads, “I will not fail.” But what does it take to not fail?
According to Senior Airman Robert Gulliver, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production journeyman, all you need is hard work and commitment to bettering one’s self. This same mentality is what lead Gulliver to join the Air Force after college.
“I graduated college and the job market where I was living was terrible,” he said. “Even with a degree you still needed to have experience, which you don’t get without a job. I thought joining the military was a great idea to get job experience for a trade while having an actual career.”
Gulliver joined with a guaranteed mechanical job. He said he felt like he lucked out when he was assigned to electrical power production—one of the jobs on his dream sheet.
As an electrical power production journey man, Gulliver performs preventative maintenance on diesel generators that provide backup emergency power for mission-essential locations. He also inspects trucks that transport hazardous materials.
“Without [my team], there wouldn’t be backup power in case of an emergency power outage,” he explained. “The mission would be at a standstill. Anything from the protection of critical assets, lighting the air field or contacting the Pentagon would be negatively affected.”
To ensure mission success, Gulliver sets expectations for himself so he is always prepared to execute his job at a moment’s notice.
“Doing my best comes from a personal precedence that I set for myself,” he explained. “I think you should always do better than you’re capable of doing. We’ve signed up to be in the military and do a good job for our country. We should really represent that and set the same precedence for other Airmen.”
Gulliver, a Springdale, Arkansas, native credits his family for instilling in him the values needed to get the mission done.
“We had 15 acres of land and a good part of it was leased to cow owners. We were still in charge of our property, so as far as keeping the area maintained, we had to do it,” he said. “Fences had to be put up whenever they broke and you couldn't stop and complain. The job had to get done or you would lose all the cows. How I was raised definitely has an impact on what drives me to do my best.”
In addition to excelling at his job, Gulliver also embraces the whole Airman concept to learn more about the world around him.
“As an Airman there are a ton of opportunities to have fun while volunteering,” he said. “I recently volunteered during the [2016 Headquarters Allied Air Command Inter-Nation Swimming Championship]. I had to escort the British swim team. Really what that entailed was hanging out with them, showing them the country getting to know them. There are so many opportunities to broaden your knowledge of the world.”
Gulliver is not satisfied with being the best enlisted member he can be; he hopes to someday become a commissioned officer.
“As an officer, I think prior-enlisted members have a better understanding of what their troops experience from day-to-day,” he said. “I think that with my enlisted experience, I can really make an impact.”
At the end of the day, Gulliver continues to help the 31st Fighter Wing deter aggression, defend U.S. and NATO interests and develop Aviano.
“I just genuinely come to work to work,” Gulliver explained. “I'm not trying to fool anyone and check my email all day. I'm here to put my time into what I'm doing now.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2016 02:48 |
| Story ID: | 203797 |
| Location: | AVIANO AIR BASE, IT |
| Hometown: | SPRINGDALE, AR, US |
| Web Views: | 314 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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