Reservists take Bosses for a Ride

The 433rd Airlift Wing opened its doors and its aircraft to civilian supervisors and employers during the 17th Annual Bosses Day. The Bosses were taken on an aerial refueling trainig mission and got the oppurtunity to see what it is the reservist's contribute to when they have to spend time away from their everyday careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez)

Nice Wheels

Lt. Col. Shane Slaughter, a C-5 Galaxy pilot with the 68th Airlift Squadron, takes a few minutes to talk about the C-5 to two guests attending the 433rd Airlift Wing's 17th Annual Bosses Day, Dec. 4, 2010, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Thirty-six bosses witnessed a mid-air refueling between this C-5 and a KC-135 Stratotanker. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Touching base, above the base

Lt. Col. Pat Brooks, a C-5 Galaxy pilot with the 68th Airlift Squadron, carefully manuevers the C-5 Galaxy cargo into position for a mid air refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker as part of the 433rd Airlift Wing's 17th Annual Bosses Day, Dec. 4, 2010, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Thirty-six civilian employers of Alamo wing reservists witnessed the mid-air refueling and learned about the various missions performed by the wing. The annual event is designed to help civilian employers understand the importance of the mission thier workers carry out while serving on Reserve status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Reservists take Bosses for a Ride

The 433rd Airlift Wing opened it's doors and it's aircraft to civilian supervisors and employers during the 17th Annual Bosses Day. The Bosses were taken on an aerial refueling training mission, and got the oppurtunity to see what it is the reservist's contribute to when they have to spend time away from their everyday careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez)

Reservists take Bosses for a Ride

The 433rd Airlift Wing opened its doors and its plane to civilian supervisors and employers during the 17th Annual Bosses Day. The Bosses were taken on an aerial refueling training mission and got the oppurtunity to see what it is the reservists contribute to when they have to spend time away from their everyday careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez)

Reservists take Bosses for a Ride

The 433rd Airlift Wing opened its doors and its aircraft to civilian supervisors and employers during the 17th Annual Bosses Day. The Bosses were taken on an aerial refueling trainig mission and got the oppurtunity to see what it is the reservists contribute to when they have to spend time away from their everyday careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez)

Can you hear me now?

Staff Sgt. David Fink, a C-5 Galaxy loadmaster with the 68th Airlift Squadron, gives preflight instructions to guests attending the 433rd Airlift Wing's 17th Annual Bosses Day, Dec. 4, 2010, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Thirty-six civilian employers of Alamo wing reservists witnessed a mid-air refueling by a KC-135 during the flight. The annual event is designed to help civilian employers understand the importance of the mission thier workers carry out while serving on Reserve status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Reservists take Bosses for a Ride

Published Dec. 5, 2010
By Senior Airman Viola Hernandez
433AW

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It's often said reservists lead two simultaneous lives: military and civilian. Once a year these two worlds merge when the 433rd Airlift Wing hosts its annual Bosses' Day.

This year Bosses' Day brought more than 30 civilian employers to the wing and gave them a glimpse of what their employees are involved in when they come in for duty on the weekends. However, as every reservist and employer knows, military duty doesn't just call on the weekends; it can also interrupt a set civilian work schedule or require time off.

A call to duty can sometimes interrupt a reservist' s educational pursuits as well. For Tech. Sgt. Anthony Rodriguez and his biology professor Sara Wilkins, it is something they've had to work through.

"I've always understood when he has to miss class," Ms. Wilkins said. "But now that I'm here I understand that it is so much more complicated than anything I thought. I understand why he needs my support."

During the visit, employers and supervisors had a chance to board a C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft to witness an aerial refueling mission.

Giving the bosses an understanding of what their employee accomplishes while on reserve duty, the mission the reservists are involved in and gaining their support, is one of the many reasons for Bosses' Day. It also benefits the reservist to know their boss has seen what they can do.

"I thought it was very important for my boss to participate in the boss's day event," said Master Sgt. Mary Killingsworth, NCO in Charge of the Aeromedical Evacuation Training Flight. "I felt his attendance helped him better understand the demands and importance of the training required for us to train and be prepared to bring the wounded warrior's home."

Knowing how their employees work to keep these planes in the air and how their support of those workers contributes to the missions tasked to the Alamo Wing gives the employers something to be proud of.

The employers benefit from the training that the member receives when on duty both on a business and personal level and after seeing the work that goes into supporting the wing, one employer said he had a new understanding of why it is so vital he support his Reserve employee.

"I've been around military my whole life -- in fact, I was in the military -- but I think it's awesome to come out here and see what my employee is doing, and to be able to see and know the missions he supports," said Jeff Miller, an employer with the Boss' Day flight. "I have a Marine friend who just got back from a deployment and he told me that a C-5 brought them supplies. I help by making sure my guy feels comfortable enough to be able to do both jobs."