Photo By Emily Vang | Rank at Retirement/Date of Separation: MSgt AFSC: 3E671 Years Served: 20 years and...... read more read more
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Amanda Jones
Rank at Retirement/Date of Separation: MSgt
AFSC: 3E671
Years Served: 20 years and 9 months, 2002-2022
Current Occupation: Construction Estimator
I am MSgt Amanda Jones, USAF, Civil Engineer - Operations Management, 3E671, retired. I served 20.9 years attending Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas on Feb. 5 March 25, 2002, continuing to Technical Training at Sheppard AFB, Texas from March 26 – June 15,2002.
My first duty station was the 59th Medical Logistics & Readiness Squadron at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas, followed by the Daniel Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Waikiki, Hawaii.. After that, I reported to the 819th RED HORSE Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Montana (my favorite assignment), where I deployed twice to the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineering Group, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron for about eight months each time. My 4th duty station was the 23rd CES, Moody AFB, Georgia, before my 5th and final duty station, the 354th CES, Eielson AFB, Alaska, where I retired. I didn’t choose CE as I joined the Air Force under “Open General;” CE chose me, and I am so glad it did!
Q: What was the most memorable lesson learned from your time as a CE Airman?
A: I will share two distinctive, memorable lessons, both different but equally meaningful. My most memorable lesson learned from my time as an Airman was earning the respect of my peers, mainly because my peers weren't in my career field most of my career. After almost 10 years in the military, I began working with other Airmen Engineers at my third duty station. Every assignment presented a huge learning curve, and I worked hard to prove my competency, trustworthiness, and value. I learned to constantly adapt to the organization's needs and apply the skills and knowledge I had acquired, which helped me hone my craft of 'Semper Gumby.' Never saying, "that's not my job" rather "how can I get the mission done within my skills and scope?" while continuing to respect myself, my team and my leadership and earning their respect in return was the biggest lesson learned. I still apply it to every facet of my life today!
Second, I learned this lesson after my time in the military, but I wish I had applied it sooner: Be present for your family every chance you get! When my boys were in elementary school, I was frequently deployed, on TDY, or "too busy at work" to attend school events/activities. My absolute favorite memory was attending one of their school musicals on Veterans Day when Dylan was in 6th grade and Zachary was in 4th. Just before the program began, I arrived (late). The boys scanned the room, hoping I would be there since I had promised many times before (and rarely was). When Zachary saw me, his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and his smile was bigger than any smile I'd seen before. When Dylan smiled so big, I knew my presence was more needed there than at work! Zachary, now 16 years old, reacted almost the same way he did when he was eight years old when he saw me in the crowd at his Junior ROTC promotion ceremony recently. Don’t miss out on making memorable memories with your family while trying to make rank or choosing other work priorities. The boys and I know and understand that sometimes it is unavoidable. But I also know that sometimes I prioritized the AF over them, even when I didn't have to.
Q: Recall one of your most challenging moments as a CE Airman. How did you overcome that challenge?
A: One of my most challenging moments came because I was female. During my 2016 deployment, I was asked to help the well-drilling team. I was a 3E6 in Qatar, and the team was in Iraq. My boss wanted me to be the point man for the well-drilling team if they needed anything because I had a lot of resources available, the team knew me from the home station, and they weren’t assigned to the OIC/Superintendent of the site; they were working in Iraq since they were a mobile asset. After finishing their current drilling project, the team needed to go to another location in Iraq. They met significant pushback from the Base Civil Engineer in that location, primarily due to prior poor relationships! The engineer wasn’t willing to spend effort on the teams’ needs for two reasons: 1) the team was Prime BEEF, and the well-drill team was RED HORSE 2) the last RH team trashed the site and didn’t take care of the BEEF’s equipment or space that was loaned to them. To overcome this and to ensure our team was provided with space, equipment, lodging, and logistics on time and as needed, I knew we would need to talk face-to-face with the BCE. My boss, the 557th ERHS Director of Operations (a major), and my Squadron Commander (a lieutenant colonel) didn’t feel comfortable sending me for fear of my safety (female, traveling solo). It took me some time to convince them that I was the right person for the job, that my safety was not an issue, and that I had the skills necessary to complete the project. I needed to get there fast to get the ball rolling. I overcame the challenge by being a competent and proven leader. My Group commander paved the way and approved the travel. When I arrived at 0200hrs a day later, I was welcomed by the BCE squad leader himself. We worked together for the next 3-5 days to make a plan. His team provided equipment, storage, and lodging for my team established communications, and helped with logistics to facilitate my team’s visit to their site to fix much-needed wells that were not working for the entire forward operating base. Although being a female engineer is tough, my whole career, I was blessed with outstanding leadership in every unit I belonged to and was able to continue to overcome many obstacles!
Q: How did your military career prepare you for civilian life?
A: My military career prepared me to become a civilian by teaching me soft and technical skills. It reinforced my work ethic and prepared me to continue serving in a different capacity. My most successful preparation came from being a member of the Society of American Military Engineers. SAME introduced me to many people, gave me leadership opportunities, and groomed me to be a strong leader in my community. They hosted a Transition Workshop last year when I decided to retire. I was offered a scholarship to attend, travel included! They highlighted my learned military skills to different companies and provided valuable information to me to ease my transition. Additionally, I interviewed on the spot with 20 other companies seeking engineers like me (and you, if you're reading this). I left the military with four or five job offers. In addition, I was introduced to my new career and future outside of the military, Vali Cooper International, a disabled veteran-owned business/construction engineering firm in Louisiana. I've been with them for three months and look forward to serving them for the next 20 years. Making connections in the military and through private organizations introduced by the military is the most effective way to prepare for life after the military. I encourage all CE Airmen to consider joining SAME and to focus on creating relationships throughout their military career.
Q: How did you imagine military life before you joined? How did your perceptions change after serving?
A: I had no information or expectations of military life. I grew up under a rock in Tennessee, not knowing the U.S. Air Force existed. After high school, I was drowning in life, attending college full-time, working 70-hours a week at two jobs, and nannying for two families to pay for my education. One day on my way to class, I heard an ad on the radio for the USAF. It said, “Do you want: Free college? To travel the world? Free medical care?” I said YES to each of those items, then found myself in a recruiter’s office. I thought it was for the Reserves with the expectation of only doing this military thing one weekend a month and two weeks over summer break. On Sept. 11, 2001, I signed my contract to join. Since serving, I cannot imagine my life any other way. We are a complete Air Force family: I am married to a retired USAF CE Dirt Boy, my 18-year-old son is currently in technical school, and I hope my other three military brats will become veterans one day too! Now, as a brand-new retiree, I am trying to re-learn how to be a civilian.
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2022 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 432666 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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