Staff Sgt. Jan Almasy has always had a natural inclination for helping people. As a civilian, he works as a nurse, helping the sick and injured to feel better. As an Airman, he works as a personnelist to keep his Wingman on track and ready to go at all times. During regularly scheduled drill, he works with the student flight to prepare future Airmen for basic military training. Finally, as an additional duty, Almasy works as a Victim Advocate to help men and women in the military who have gone through a traumatic experience.
“A Victim Advocate is somebody who is a voice to those who have lost their voice,” said Almasy. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. We are a support system for people who have encountered a situation that has taken away their voice.”
Victim Advocates work hand in hand with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) on base to give Airmen access to the tools and resources they need to transition from victims to survivors.
“It’s a very tough road to make it from victim to survivor,” said Almasy. “To get that person from looking at themselves as a victim that has had a part of themselves stripped away to getting to the point where they are a survivor, that is our biggest thing. We want you to know that you are strong. You are a person that has survived something, and has the capability to be the best version of yourself moving forward and we can help you get there.”
Almasy finds all of his positions rewarding, but being a Victim Advocate is an honor that he cherishes.
“The biggest thing for me is seeing that look on a person’s face when you say ‘I’m here for you,’ and they fully feel like they can trust you,” said Almasy. “That trust has been wildly violated and to know that that person is placing their future for the time being in your hands and knowing that you have the ability to bring them out of a dark place is the most rewarding feeling in the world.”
Almasy utilizes his military career to continue to help others each and every day. By serving as a Victim Advocate, he is giving a voice to the voiceless, maintains Airman readiness, and above all, takes care of his fellow wingman.