Commentary: Military family completes Guardsmen’s trifecta for success

Photo By Andria Allmond | Far left, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Frisco, 111th Attack Wing command chief master sergeant, readies to high five a finisher of a wounded veterans cycling event held near Horsham, Pa., Sept. 30, 2015. Part of the Air National Guard for 32 years, Frisco was the unit’s maintenance superintendent before taking the role of the command chief. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)  

HORSHAM, PA, UNITED STATES

03.28.2017

Story by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond  

111th Attack Wing

Chief Master Sgt. Paul Frisco
111th Attack Wing Command Chief

HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. – Due to the current operational tempo, Guardsmen may spend more time with others in uniform than ever before. Because of this, many of us have a support system that isn’t biological or through marriage, but it’s just as strong – the military family.

The military family is a concept that spans military branches, but I feel that in the Air National Guard (ANG) it differs from active duty. While Airmen make close friends while on active duty, usually the time spent together is limited. That’s not the case in the National Guard.

Being at this installation for 32 years, I have seen many come and go. I’ve seen Guardsmen enter the military here, complete their careers and retire during my tenure. I have watched my friends get married, watched their kids grow up and then have kids of their own. We have deployed together, shared both the good times and the bad, some tears and many laughs. If that isn’t family, I don’t know what is!

This military family is part of the trifecta that makes up an effective, fulfilling career for a Guardsman. The member, the family and the employer compose the idea of the three-legged stool that the National Guard Bureau uses as the image of success. According to the NGB, without one of the legs, the stool would collapse.

But what about our Guardsmen who – while they have a full-time commitment – work in a part-time military capacity? With approximately 70 percent of our force Drill-Status Guardsmen (DSG), it is important to ensure our DSG’s feel part of the ANG family.

How do we do that?

Communicating well with our traditional Guardsman is extremely important. If they are kept up to speed, they feel a part of the mission; and that is a crucial element to mission completion and good morale. The full-time force needs to look at the mission from a DSG perspective and work at drawing them into the fold.

Reinforcing family values with all of our members is another way help DSGs feel like part of the family. I have found that if an Airman is in need, we can count on our Guard family to come through in all situations. It may be the loss of a loved one, a struggling relationship, the birth of a child, a new position, or buying and moving into a new home. There is always someone there to lend support or advice. This needs to be conveyed to our members through our actions and words.

Lastly, knowing our members is important in building and maintaining the military family for all of us. Do you know the children’s names of those with whom you work? Do you know your DSG’s civilian job? Do you know the aspirations of those who work above, below and alongside you? If not, make a point to do so during the next drill. This strengthens the bonds between us.

So when we think of family, we should realize that the Air Guardsman to our left and right are part of it. A critical part. Whether it be in a deployed location or in the trenches of our day-in and day-out jobs, we must always have each other’s back. Together we are family, and our family will not let each other fail.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2017
• Date Posted: 03.29.2017 08:38
• Story ID: 228425
• Location: HORSHAM, PA, US