OCR Text |
Show gTTMFS. October 9, 2008 TH-JFC contest winning essay What is PME, and how does it affect the Junior Force now and in the future? The Team Hill Junior Force Council would like to thank the editorial staff of the Hilltop Times and all those who participated in the TH-JFC Writing Competition. It was not an easy task to select a winner among all the fine entries. We finally narrowed it down to one article submitted by Jeremy Stephens of the 500th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron. Again, thanks to all of you Junior Force members for your continued support, and please remember to visit the TH-JFC Web site for more information on upcoming events, contests and useful tools in your career progression. From Hillnet, go to Projects & Programs, then to Junior Force Council. Or e-mail us atHillJFC@hill.af.mil BY JEREMY STEPHENS 500th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron H LEE ANNE HENSLEY/Hilltop Times Roc Chervanik (right),.pfthe^Srg^Electronics MaintenanceSquadrorvwalks with his walking partner, Esther Lewis, of the Defense Logistics Agency, on Oct. 8. ill fill nf!i[IIF.rnt.<"i No stopping Hill man Chervanik was discharged from the Air Force shortly after the surgery and became Hilltop Times staff a civilian worker at Hill AFB and currently works as a material engineer at the 523nd Elecoc Chervanik's drive is unstoppatronics Maintenance Squadron. Over the years, ble. He's already exhausted sevChervanik succumbed to stress and began to eral walking partners, has broken gain weight. For the past eight years, Chervana treadmill and has to bribe his dog with ik weighed 225 pounds and his health was suftreats to keep pace with him on their daily fering. He was taking medication to control his walks. It's hard to keep up with him, even high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Last though he is legally 100 percent disabled. More than thirty years ago Chervanik was February, he decided to do something about it. an active duty Airman at Hill Air Force Base Chervanik joined the Air Force Materiel when he underwent spinal surgery. Parts of his Command's Wellness Program, which is an spine were fused and his sciatic nerve was sev- online program for civilians and active-duty ered, leaving him with partial loss of control of members to keep track of their health and wellhis legs. With the aid of forearm crutches, Cher-ness. Progress is logged on the Web site, afmvanik is able to walk independently. However, cwellness.com, and supplementary help is ofin 1980 he was issued a wheelchair. fered through the Health and Wellness Center "My wife is a good motivator there," said on base. Also, in June he and his wife became Chervanik. "She says, 'You don't need a wheel-life members of Weight Watchers. Chervanik chair, just get up and walk around!' She's kept me on my feet since 1980." See WALKING I page 12 BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY R aving recently completed Air Command and Staff College, I feel fairly acquainted with Professional Military Education. PME has been described by many as a grueling test of endurance. Admittedly, some sections of PME can be very dry, to put it nicely. However, the overall personal impact after completion is worth the effort. Considering the aging work force, it is more important than ever that our Junior Force enroll and complete PME. AFPAM36-2241V1 states, "PME and academic education enhance performance in each phase of professional development and build on the foundation of leadership abilities shown during the earlier stages of an individual's career. PME's role in professional development is to prepare individuals to take on increased responsibilities appropriate to their grade and to enhance their contribution to the, Air- Force." • The phrase "Can't see the forest for the trees" has become so popular that it has its own definition in1 the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. The definition is stated as, "An expression used of someone who is too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole." PME effectively enables us to see our true position in the overall grand scheme. One might argue that seeing the forest could lessen the importance we place upon the small portion of work under our control. However, PME actually helps each of us understand how far our efforts ripple out across the Department of Defense and the world. With this increased understanding, we are more apt to improve our individual performance. Completing PME is not as difficult as some would have us think. Besides the varied schools such as Squadron Officer School, Air War College and ACSC, the Air Force has given us alternative options for PME completion. You can usually complete PME in one of three ways: in residence, by seminar or by correspondence. In residence requires moving away to go to school for a substantial amount of time. For those who want to stay put, by seminar or correspondence will be preferred. If you have a hard time staying on track, form a group and complete your PME by seminar. Some prefer to move at their own pace and correspondence works best. Before you enroll, study the requirements for all PME options. See ESSAY I page 11 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the violence in their home. Each of these "witness silently" to the Family Advocacy Outreach manager responsibility we all have as individuals he theme for this year's Doto do all we can do to eliminate this ongomestic Violence Awareness ing problem in our community — and Month is "Take a stand — pre"take a stand" against domestic violence! vent domestic violence." The goal A few facts about domestic violence is to stop family violence before it from the Family Advocacy Prevention starts. Fund data: • Domestic violence is a crime. Silent witnesses • Batterers use emotional, psychoAs you drive along Balmer (11th) logical, economic and physical abuse to Street here at Hill Air Force Base, in control their victims. the field across from the Warrior Fit• More than 4 million people are ness Center you will notice 35 "Hidden abused by their partners each year. Secrets" silhouettes. These silhouettes • Domestic violence can result in seristand as a reminder that domestic vioous injury or death. Thirty-five purple silhouettes were placed along Balmer Street opposite the Warrior lence is still occurring at Hill AFB. • Anger, alcohol, drugs and stress are Fitness Center near the Hill Air Force Base Family Advocacy Outreach office to serve Each of the silhouettes represents a never excuses for abuse. as a visual reminder to "Take a Stand" against domestic violence. confirmed case of domestic violence at • Children also suffer when there is Hill AFB during fiscal year 2008. There domestic violence in the home. What is domestic violence? date an intimate partner, and can often are two exceptions; one adult represents • Domestic violence crosses all socioThe term "domestic violence" includes lead to physical or psychological harm the unknown victims and the one child economic age, gender, ethnic, race and a number of aggressive behaviors or represents all children who are affected cultural strata and military ranks. threats that are used to control or intimiSee VIOLENCE I page 10 BY DARYL SONDRUP T |