Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Walston | U.S. Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Nyssa D. Curtis, the 913th Airlift Group chaplain...... read more read more
It is said, “when one door closes another opens,” but it is up to us to step through. Staff Sgt. Nyssa D. Curtis, the 913th Airlift Group’s chaplain’s assistant did just that. After leaving the Air Force, she wasted no time seeking service opportunities, and found them as a traditional reservist.
Curtis, who hails from Viola, Arkansas, where the population is 354, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life after graduating college.
“I felt a calling to do something challenging and meaningful, and the military seemed like an honorable option to pursue. I come from a very patriotic family, and wanted to contribute in some way to our great country,” Curtis said.
She spoke with recruiters from every military service branch, but in the end, chose the Air Force.
“It seemed like the (Air Force) standards to get in were higher,” Curtis said. “And the quality of life better.”
Curtis was able to become a mental health technician since she already had a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.
“I have always been fascinated by the brain and mental health related issues, so it was the perfect job,” she said.
Curtis completed technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and received orders to the 19th Medical Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas where she spent the next six years as a mental health technician. During this time she obtained her Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (CADAC), by completing the required training and clinical hours.
“I intended to serve six years of active duty and separate completely from the military,” Curtis said. “However, during my terminal leave, I started missing the military and began to regret my decision to get out. I felt like I could still contribute, so I made the decision to become a Reservist. I’ve got the flexibility to continue serving, while maintaining a civilian life outside of the military. It’s a perfect balance.”
Needing a new unit, Curtis joined the 131st Medical Group, Missouri Air Guard at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. On drill weekends she drove seven hours each way from Little Rock to Whiteman, but over time, the drive became mentally and physically exhausting.
“I was unhappy, so I started to pray about it and asked God for help,” Curtis said. “I also started looking into Guard or Reserve options closer to Little Rock. I knew that I would need to cross train since the mental health job I had wasn’t offered.”
When Curtis found a vacant chaplain’s assistant position in the 913 AG, she jumped at the opportunity.
“God truly does provide in our most desperate times,” Curtis said. “I believe the chaplain assistant role is a great fit for me since spirituality is such an important aspect of my life. I feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity to cross train and start a new chapter in my Air Force Reserve career.”
Curtis has been working as a chaplain assistant since August 2016, and is scheduled to attend technical school this summer.
“Sergeant Curtis’ quality of work and determination to learn is excellent. She has a can do attitude and is willing to go the extra mile to succeed,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Peter Landers, the 913 AG chaplain. “She has excelled at the disciplines of chaplain assistant, supporting the chaplain with unit visitations, morale building and class discussion...all with a pleasant ministry of presence.”
Cross training can present challenges, but Curtis is mentally prepared.
“I’m striving to be patient with the learning process in this new role. I’m the type of person that likes to take charge and accomplish tasks as fast as possible,” Curtis said. “But, I also realize and appreciate that it takes great time and effort to gain the wisdom and knowledge needed to be effective in a new job. I have much to learn and will remember that life works on God’s time, not mine.”
For Curtis, letting military members know that there’s always someone to listen is important.
“I believe it is essential to the overall morale of our unit to know that they have a confidential source that they can confide in should the need arise,” she said. “I also believe it is important that people know they have the Chaplain’s Office as a resource to ask questions and discuss faith based concerns. We’re also here to chat with anybody who needs or wants somebody to talk to.”
Curtis has set her sights on 20-years of service, but has other goals as well. She has been a huge baseball fan all of her life, and said there is nothing as enjoyable as going to a baseball game. She plans to visit every Major League ballpark in America and is slowing accomplishing that dream.
“Right now, I’m focusing on doing my best in tech school. On the civilian side, I’m working on research projects at the Veterans Administration and I hope to publish a paper in a research journal. I’ll be submitting this year, so I’m praying that the paper is accepted,” Curtis said.
As for the Air Force, she believes in paying it forward.
“The Air Force has been very good to me, so I hope to leave it a little better than how I found it,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2017 15:54 |
| Story ID: | 237106 |
| Location: | LITTLE ROCK AFB, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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