WEBVTT

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- I'm Technical Sergeant, Bartek Bachleda.

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I'm a Boom Operator Instructor at Altus Air Force Base

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on Case 135.

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Thirteen months ago,

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^our former Wing Commander, Colonel Kravitz came down

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^asking if there's any issues going on in the 54th.

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And of the things that came up,

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was talking about back and neck issues.

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Because the current cushion,

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and the current boom pod design,

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Colonel Kravitz asked,

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"Well, what are you guys doing about this issue?"

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And the answer was, "Nothing."

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But I went out

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and try to figure out what we can improve.

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And I initially started with

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figuring out a different panel that we can design

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to create like a little chin rest area.

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Went from there to recreating the cushion.

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Went from there to totally recreating the cushion.

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Not only having a two inch cushion going across like

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three-quarters of the length,

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but essentially lifting the position of the back

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and the hips for the instructor.

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What you see here before you

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represents 13 months of perseverance

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between five agencies.

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Between maintenance and air crew,

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between hospital,

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and people that make panels,

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and ordering parts,

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there's been so many bumps in the road that,

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at any time,

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I could have quit.

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You know?

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Like, I'm tired of this,

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I can't do everything at once.

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But I didn't.

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And I kept going,

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and this is where we're at.

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It is up to every individual in the Air Force,

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if they have an innovative idea,

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for them to be heard.

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So, two things could happen,

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either they're heard and people help them,

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their leadership helps them,

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or they're heard and shut down.

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So it should be up to every commander

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and supervisor to nurture that environment.

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Because every single person in the Air Force

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has an idea that could save thousands,

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of millions of dollars,

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or perhaps change the quality of life

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for the next generation.

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So for those that do have those ideas,

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don't give up.

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Do not give up.

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(air turbulence)