Road Warrior--934th Reservist sets the pace for operational reserve

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Josh Moshier
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Minneapolis-St. Paul --  The Air Force Reserve has changed.
Gone are the days when an Air Force Reservist could quietly accumulate 20 years of service without stepping foot on foreign soil. Gone are the days of "one weekend-a-month, two-weeks-a-year," to satisfy the requirements of Reserve service. 

Today's Reservist is a shining example of the Total Force concept, standing side-by-side with active duty and Air National Guard brothers and sisters both at home and abroad.
Few meet this expectation better than Lt. Col. James Nowak, 96th Airlift Squadron C-130 navigator, who is currently serving what is at least his sixth official deployment, this time at a location in Southwest Asia. He's also deployed to Germany, the Indian Ocean, Kuwait and in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Colonel Nowak's perspective, service and performance perfectly illustrate the attitude required of today's Air Force Reservist. 

"It's important that we fulfill our obligation," he said. "This gives our Active Duty counterparts an opportunity to return home to regenerate and recuperate. We train to the same standards (as our Active Duty counterparts) and typically have a higher level of experience ... the Reserves are an equal partner able to accomplish the mission."
That mind-set is in contrast to some Reservists who served prior to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. 

"There is an expectation of deployed duty now," said Maj. Reese Phillips, 934th AW Judge Advocate, who sees many deployers during out-processing. "Initially, there was an uptick of resentment toward the increased ops tempo. Those who didn't want it got out, and those who stayed in or joined since have accepted it as part of the job."
Separation from family and home can be taxing and heart-wrenching, Colonel Nowak said, but deploying does provide Airmen with a better appreciation of why they're here and professional development that can only be gained from working in different environments. 

"You appreciate what you have at home and the things you would normally take for granted," he said. "But you also see the good that the United States does that goes unreported, and you gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifice others have given."
The colonel offers only one, vital, piece of advice to Airmen who are deploying for the first time. 

"Deploying is different each time, even when you're deploying to the same location," he said. "Different personal and professional factors change from deployments. The one constant is that the worst part is always leaving, and the best part is always coming home. Connecting with loved ones can be difficult, but it's very important."
The Air Force Reserve has changed, and so has its people. Today's Reservists sign up for service knowing they will very likely deploy multiple times. The expectations have increased, and so has the overall quality and willingness of the Airmen.