Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Harwood | Emily Bachman, Airman and Family Readiness program manager at the 179th Airlift Wing,...... read more read more
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The Air Force Association has announced 179th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager, Emily A. Bachman, as the National Guard’s Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employee of the Year Award recipient for 2019. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements made by Air Force civilian appropriated fund employees. Nominations are evaluated on the nature of the achievement, development of techniques or procedures that significantly increased mission effectiveness and breadth of impact. As the winner of the National Guard, Bachman will continue to compete against those selected from the other Major Commands in the Active Duty and Reserve for the overall Air Force Civilian Employee of the Year, which will be announced later this year.
Humbled by her selection, Bachman attributed her success to her colleagues, “I have so much respect and appreciation for my peers, and the support that each of them provide our Airmen and Military Families. It has been really special to have many provide mentorship to me along the way. It has been a true honor to work with such a great group of professionals that genuinely care about the jobs they do, and those they serve.”
Bachman planned and executed numerous notable events, affecting 1,400 members and their families. These events supported team and morale-building, stress management techniques, sexual assault prevention, community and personal relationships, and volunteerism. Additionally, Mrs. Bachman provided Yellow Ribbon and deployment support for members and families. She also met with members regularly for consultations and assistance on financial hardship, retirement, employment, relocation, relationships, and family outreach.
“It has been such an honor to have the opportunity to work with our Airmen and Military Families. I find it extremely rewarding to know I helped someone, and that they trusted me and felt comfortable to come see me for whatever was going on in their life.” Bachman said, “This position has shown the value in team work, and the benefits it can have on our Airmen and Families. We have amazing service providers, with Ms. Faline Rowland, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Specialist, Ms. Vivian Winters, DPH, Ms. Rebecca English, SARC, our Chaplains, etc. All of which are here and ready to help anytime there is a need. I have been extremely fortunate to have amazing leadership, which has allowed me an opportunity to put my own spin on things, and offer different programs. Although I didn’t know very much about Mansfield, Ohio when I was first selected for the position, it has been such a blessing to come to this area, and be part of this amazing team!”
Members of the 179th AW know Bachman very well as she has offered a variety of supportive roles to not only the Airmen but their families as well, recognizing that it’s not just the military member who serves in support of the mission. Bachman truly understands this on a personal level as she has lived on both sides of being a military member and being a military spouse.
“After my husband and I met, I joined Active Duty Army, as a Dental Assistant. I have always loved everything about military culture, the structure, and what it stands for. After we had our daughter, I left Active Duty, and finished my second Bachelor’s Degree, which was in Psychology. I later went on to complete a Master’s Degree. As a Military Spouse, I worked full-time and was heavily involved as a Family Readiness Volunteer. As a young Spouse, I found being involved as a volunteer, allowed me to stay connected with my husband’s unit, become more familiar with support services and resources, and better connect with other Military Families. I have always had a passion for helping others, so when the opportunity came up for me to work in Family Programs with our Army Aviation Brigade in Germany, I was thrilled. I had the honor of working overseas for two tours, prior to being selected to come join the 179th Team! My husband had 6 deployments ranging from 9-15 months each, with our family dynamics very different during each.”
Through her actions, she has displayed genuine care for the needs of the Airmen who are vital to the success of that mission, “I think about my own experiences, and how important it is for our service members and families to know they have a person to turn to when they are in need. It has always been so important to me for our Airmen and Families to know they can come to me and I will always make them my top priority to ensure they are taken care of, and have the resources and support to grow as a person, which in turn creates a more ready and resilient force. It has been such a blessing to have the opportunity to work with the 179th Airlift Wing and 200th Red Horse Squadron. I honestly can’t imagine a more rewarding position.”
When members deployed, Bachman’s services could be found every step of the way.
Bachman ensured 344 Airmen and their families were supported in 2018 by actively supporting their Yellow Ribbon events, a program designed to provide knowledge and resources to help entire families cope with the challenges in all phases of a deployment.
While deployed, it was Bachman ensuring that care packages found their way to deployed members around the globe, she sent out 115 stockings at Christmas time alone.
At home, if a service member fell on financial hardship, they could count on Bachman to see that they got the help they needed. She helped get over $30k to military families in need in 2018.
With innovative approaches to holistic fitness, Bachman helped organize creative events on base to boost morale, spiritual wellness and fitness. She started painting and yoga classes aimed to provide members with unique stress management education all aimed at maintaining complete mission readiness.
“We had really positive feedback with our Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Yoga Classes we offered, and with our Cupcakes & Canvas Stress Management Class. Many have requested to have both classes offered again this spring.” Bachman added, “The Canvas Painting was so popular, we decided to bring the same concept to our During Deployment Yellow Ribbon Event for Families. Two of our amazing volunteers, Teresa Chandler and Debbie Thomas, led the painting, while the Chaplain spoke with the Families about stress management. I’m always trying to think outside the box to offer fun opportunities, while also providing beneficial information.”
Bachman has been more than beneficial in her position, and has undoubtedly made an impact, “I believe these programs have had a very positive impact, and have aided in Airmen and Families feeling comfortable to reach out to me with any questions or needs they have. I always love when our Airmen swing by over drill, to share with me things they have going on in their personal lives, or notable events they had. It is pretty special to me when they swing by to tell me they passed their mid-term exam, or got a new job. This is why I love my military family so much, and am excited to always tell everyone how special it is to be part of this amazing team! The programs have also helped foster connection between the Airmen and Families, in helping them better get to know each other, which in turn helps build a support network for that Airmen or family.”
Bachman cares about the Airmen, she cares about their family and although she clearly does not do any of it for awards, the Airmen of the 179th can all agree that this award was well deserved!
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.14.2019 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 310694 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 438 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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