Photo By Master Sgt. Darrell Hamm | Master Sgt. Heath poses for as photo at the 118 Wing Tennessee Air National Guard base...... read more read more
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Shortly thereafter Heath deployed to Iraq with the 269th Military Police Company a mere two months after returning from Advanced Individual Training, the Army’s job skills training course for each career field. Heath remained with the Army for six years, most of which was spent on deployment.
A family decision took Heath out of the military, but it was short lived. The following year Heath rejoined the military, this time with the Tennessee Air National Guard in the 164th Security Forces Squadron in Knoxville, Tennessee. Nine months later he found himself in the desert once again.
In January 2011, after returning from Iraq, Heath was able to transfer home to Nashville, Tennessee. He became a member of the 118th Security Forces Squadron where he stayed until February 2016.
“I really enjoyed being a Security Forces member,” said Heath, “I enjoyed really every aspect of it."
But as Heath’s career progressed he realized it was time to take the next step. When the opportunity presented itself, he applied and was assigned to the 118th LRS as a first sergeant.
“It’s very servant leadership minded and that’s kind of the person that I am," said Heath, “What I have found is that I really enjoy taking care of my people. That’s really what it boils down to."
Heath says his biggest challenge since becoming a first sergeant has been learning a new unit and trying to get to know each person in it. The unit had experienced a lot of change prior to Heath coming aboard.
“Pretty much I just had to jump right into it," said Heath, “It was like drinking water through a fire hose. But because of all that I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time, you know a year and a half, and I’m a much better first sergeant for it."
A talented athlete, Heath was a three-sport competitor in high school. He enjoys singing karaoke and is a devoted family man who recently became a father.
“He is very family oriented," said Master Sgt. Jeff Robichaud, first sergeant of the 118th Security Forces Squadron. “He’s a very outgoing and open person. There’s no stranger to him and it really takes that to be a First Sergeant, I think, having that type of personality. He truly cares."
Heath’s message to the Airmen in his unit is to be proactive in their career.
“Make sure you’ve got yourself squared away first”, said Heath, “Don’t wait for things to come to you”.
Heath wants Airmen to make the best of every situation, good or bad.
“Get the best out of it because you’re gonna look back and be like, ‘Wow I can’t believe this is all over," said Heath, “Seize the opportunity, make the best of everything and just have fun."
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2017 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 254169 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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