Warminster teacher, USAF Reserve leader's diverse roles produce many benefits

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | Senior Master Sgt. Patricia S. Suszko, a religious education program teacher and coordinator at the Nativity of Our Lord Parish, a Roman Catholic school in her hometown of Warminster, Pa., is also a U.S. Air Force Reserve first sergeant for the 327th Airlift Squadron, 913th Airlift Wing at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.  

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03.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Spc. Jennifer Sardam
USCENTCOM Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA - People are sometimes surprised to discover the double life led by a religious education program teacher and coordinator at the Nativity of Our Lord Parish, a Roman Catholic school in her hometown of Warminster, Pa. Teacher Patricia S. Suszko is also a U.S. Air Force Reserve first sergeant for the 327th Airlift Squadron, 913th Airlift Wing at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station (ARS), Pa.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Suszko, she is also the first female ever to occupy a first sergeant position in the history of the Willow Grove ARS.

Because of her two diverse roles, Suszko is a well-rounded leader who benefits the 327th in many ways.

People first think of a first sergeant's role as just that of a 'strict disciplinarian," said Suszko, who added that her teaching role is a positive plus, because it makes her "more approachable" as a military leader. Her main responsibility as first sergeant is to act as the "direct link" to the squadron commander for officers and enlisted servicemembers in the squadron.

Suszko cites her spirituality as the source of strength that influences both of her chosen careers. "I think my faith has definitely made me a strong person," she confirmed. "As a first sergeant, I've had to deal with sensitive issues, and sometimes people need your strength to support them. I try to be uplifting, because everybody is totally different, and I need to make sure everybody is treated the same." Suszko added that she also thinks the military helps further develop her positive leadership skills.

While she is thousands of miles from home, deployed to the Global War on Terror, that optimistic outlook keeps this enlisted leader going. "I'm just happy to be here and serve in spite of all of the challenges and difficulties of family [separation] and distance," she remarked.

A lot of the encouragement that fuels Suszko's untiring attitude comes from halfway across the world in the form of handwritten letters from many of her students telling her, "We're proud of you," "We miss you," and "We're praying for you." She added that her deployment has been hard on some of her former students who regularly see her. "They know that I'm gone, and they get worried."

The staff at the parish is equally supportive of Suszko and the entire Southwest Asia-based 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, for which she is also currently serving as first sergeant until her demobilization in May. Her civilian employer honors her military service when she's at home by offering a flexible schedule that allows time for her Reserve duties and bolsters her spirits overseas by communicating from afar. The entire faculty of the parish and the religious program staff recently sent the squadron a framed certificate of special prayers, known as a "prayer bouquet." "It was very positive," said Suszko. "I hung it up in the squadron."

Such heartwarming displays of hometown support encourage her during the approximately four-month deployment, but in the long run, Suszko's sense of patriotism is the reason she gives for her continued military service, which so far, spans 26 years. "I'm just proud to live in the U.S.," she emphasized. "Definitely, it's the greatest country in the world. I've seen other countries, with my dad being in the military, and I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen serving my country."

Suszko appreciates the value of her citizenship so much, because she understands what it's like to integrate from another culture and have to learn to speak a new language. She grew up in Managua, Nicaragua, and first came to the U.S. when she was nine years old, and her Air Force dad got stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. "It was a culture shock [with the] language barrier, and a huge family adjustment," she added, "but it all worked out well."

The value of hard work is a theme that runs visibly through this leader's life. At times when she was activated and in uniform during long days at the Willow Grove station, Suszko still found time to volunteer her help as a coordinator for Our Lady of Hope in Philadelphia, a program which regularly assists the less fortunate with a special Christmas dinner, food and gifts donated by hundreds of participants from the Nativity of Our Lord Parish.

This type of selfless service comes naturally to Suszko and her family, especially when regarding their country. She has a brother and sister who both served in the U.S. Army, and her husband David is a retired active-duty Air Force recruiter whom Suszko met at her first duty station just months after she first enlisted in the military. Now, one of their three children, David, is an active-duty Air Force first lieutenant stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo.

This is Suszko's third deployment to Southwest Asia, and she said one of the hardest things about this particular time is not being able to attend her 21-year-old daughter Natasha's graduation from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allows Suszko and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the information agency for the employers of America's new Minutemen. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

• Date Taken: 03.24.2006
• Date Posted: 03.24.2006 11:41
• Story ID: 5840
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)