Jack of All Trades: Sailor Collects Experiences

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Hugo Delgado | Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Eckelbecker poses for a photo in front of the radio studio at American Forces Network Okinawa, Japan, Mar 7, 2021. MC2 Eckelbecker is the radio host of the Morning Launch where he spreads command information and entertainment throughout the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hugo Delgado)  

JAPAN

03.07.2021

Story by Tech. Sgt. Hugo Delgado 

AFN Okinawa

CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, Japan –

The “on air” light flashed with bright red letters in American Forces Network Okinawa’s radio studio. The radio host spoke into his microphone as he started a conversation with guests. He played some songs for an audience of 55,000 listeners.
This is what Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Eckelbecker does five days a week from 6-10 a.m. All in a day’s work for a U.S. Navy MC, or Mass Communication Specialist.
Throughout his career, Eckelbecker has taken photos, written articles, shot videos and even delved into graphic design.
“I consider myself a bit of a jack-of-all trades,” he said. “I like collecting skills. I’m not amazing at any one thing, but I’m pretty good at a lot of things.”
He picked more songs to play on the air with a lit up face and conducted a few more interviews with guests. He has interviewed a range of people from civilians and enlisted personnel, to celebrities and four-star generals. The radio section at AFN serves more than just providing morale and a taste of home, he explained.
“The mission of radio is to spread commander’s intent,” he said. “Whatever it is that the commanders of Okinawa want to talk about on the radio or whatever information they want to pass, that’s what we talk about.”
An earlier career experience prepared him to be a radio host.
“One of my first assignments filling in a Public Affairs billet was in Diego Garcia,” he said. “We interacted with lots of admirals, generals and some of the higher ranking officers from the British military. I got to have these human conversations with these three-star admirals. That exposure helped me break down the difference between rank and the person.”
There was a key moment that sparked his desire to travel, meet new people, and gain new experiences.
“I read a lot of American history when I was a kid,” he said. “I read about Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. These were renaissance men who had so many skills. It made me want to be someone who did a lot of things.”
There has also been an obstacle that he encountered throughout his journey.
“It’s definitely ego,” he said. “Enough reliable people have told me that I’m good at my job. Other people who disagree have bashed me, so it’s learning how to deal with that. I remind myself to stay humble.”
The art of becoming a radio host was an arduous one, but he spoke to the one quality that every radio host should have.
“It’s curiosity,” he said. “That’s the only thing you need. You need genuine curiosity, because if you’re curious, you’re always going to have the next question ready to go.”

• Date Taken: 03.07.2021
• Date Posted: 06.03.2021 09:55
• Story ID: 398020
• Location: JP