Space Orbital October 27, 2022

Chief’s

By CMSgt Matthew Collingridge Space Base Delta 6

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, C olo. — Learning from mistakes is a critical part of growing as an person, Airman, Guardian, etc.

Trust me, I have learned plenty from my mistakes over the years. As a leader, it is important that we share both our successes and failures to help those around us continue to grow and to avoid some of the pitfalls that we have fallen into.

It is also important for those that we lead to understand that despite the rank that we wear, or the position that we hold, most of us have encountered significant struggles along the way. The idea that someone can attain success in any profession, without making mistakes, is simply untrue.

As a newly minted noncommissioned officer, I was eager to take on more responsibility and give back to my service. I had been working at the Air Force Research Lab on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, for almost five years, and I was looking for something more. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my job as a computer programmer. I worked with great people, had a flexible schedule and plenty of opportunities to thrive. My only complaint was one which I think many young NCOs share: I wanted to have a more direct impact on shaping our force. To me, the best way to do that was to become a Military Training Leader.

I initiated the application and, after about six weeks, I received notification that I had been selected as an MTL for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center at the Presidio of Monterey. My wife and me were excited despite plans to leave behind our family support in New Mexico. Th is was our fi rst permanent change of station, which added a considerable amount of stress. Either way, we were thrilled for our new assignment and all the opportunities it would bring. After speaking with my sponsor, I knew life would be dramatically different than it had been while working at AFRL. I did my best to prepare my wife for the longer, less predictable work schedule that would likely accompany this special duty.

When I arrived at the 311th Training Squadron, I remember being extremely impressed by the professionalism of both the MTL cadre and leadership team. I quickly realized that I needed to “step up my game” to meet the expectations of my newly assigned unit.

I worked hard to learn my job; I loved it. It was exactly the environment and opportunity that I had been seeking. I was able to provide direct guidance and mentorship to

the 135 Airmen that were assigned to me as a “street” MTL. I spent long hours, away from home, dedicated to honing my craft and caring for the needs of the Airmen. I was laser-focused on making myself indispensable to the students and our leadership team. I was the fi rst to raise my hand for any opportunities and lived by the mantra of “never walk a problem by.”

Over the next five years, I became the go-to for all things military training and worked my way up the chain from street MTL to Flight Chief of Military Training, a senior noncommissioned officer position that I was selected for as a technical sergeant. I had the confidence of my leadership and had been rewarded and recognized for my work ethic and accomplishments numerous times. I was at the pinnacle of my career as an MTL and had set myself for years to come.

The equation was simple: work hard, be fully dedicated to the Airmen and the mission and success would follow.

There was one major flaw with this logic. Although, I was totally dedicated to providing whatever was needed at work and to my Airmen, I was completely missing the mark at home. I had misinterpreted the Air Force core value of “service before self” to mean that my sole focus was on taking care of my Airmen and my duties at work. My full attention was spent on becoming indispensable blinded me from recognizing that major issues had developed in my home life. I made my Airmen my main priority and left my family to deal with my absence.

Even when I was at home, I was disconnected and distracted. I became so short-sighted, believing that my unit couldn’t operate without me, that I was willing to sacrifice time with my family.

I cut leave short, missed important family events, and worked longer than needed hours. The red flags were there, but I chose to ignore them. I constantly made excuses to my family and broke promises that it would ease up over time -- but I never let it. When I look back at my time as an MTL, it’s easy to see how I failed to provide the care and support that my family needed, but at that moment, I couldn’t see it.

Despite my missteps, my time as an MTL provided valuable lessons that I applied to both my professional and personal life. The obvious professional takeaway was that it equipped me to counsel and mentor other service members. My success as an MTL also made me more competitive for promotion. But, more important than anything else, my time in military training taught me the value of balance.

There is a misconception that maintaining a work-life balance means providing equal time and effort toward both. For many of us, that simply isn’t possible. There are times when you’ll need to devote more time and attention to work, and there are crucial times when your family will require your undivided attention. To me, being deliberate with your time and preparing for eventualities are key. It’s difficult to anticipate what life will throw at you, but using your time wisely when it is within your control is critical. Successfully maintaining balance relies on your ability to seamlessly shift focus because you have anticipated and prepared in all areas of your life.

I am extremely fortunate that my relationship with my wife and sons endured my tour as an MTL. Th ink about my experiences and if or how they apply to your situation. Thankfully I have learned from my mistakes, hopefully you can too.

Courtesy photo

Brady, Tyler, Lisa and Matthew Collingridge during their vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, July 2022. In his commentary, Collingridge recognized the importance of sharing both successes and failures to help those around us continue to grow, specifically how to successfully balance time with family and work.w

DAF senior leaders amplify SECDEF directives for reproductive health care

By Staff Writer Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA. (AFNS) — On Oct. 20, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that the Department of Defense will take appropriate actions to ensure service members and their families can access reproductive health care within its authority, and consistent with applicable federal law, in addition to clear guidance for health care providers to operate effectively.

These actions will establish travel and transportation allowances for service members and their families to access reproductive health care, establish additional privacy protections and conduct a comprehensive contraception education campaign.

Austin stated the actions outlined in the memo, Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care, should be executed no later than the end of the year, to the maximum extent possible.

“Reproductive health care impacts readiness, recruiting, retention and quality of life. Our policies and programs will empower families to make appropriate decisions based on their needs,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.

Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones also stressed the importance of taking care of Airmen, Guardians and their families.

“Secretary Austin’s directive to update DoD reproductive health policies is critical to protecting Airmen

and Guardians’ access to reproductive health care services, as well as their privacy,” said Jones. “Th is is about taking care of our people and about being mission ready. DAF leaders will continue to communicate with the Force as new policies are implemented to ensure awareness of available reproductive health care services and support.”

In his memo, Austin directed the DoD to accomplish certain actions to give service members and their families the time to make private health care decisions:

Establish travel and transportation allowances for service members and dependents to travel to access non-covered reproductive health care that is not available within the local area of a service member’s permanent duty station, consistent with operational requirements and applicable federal law.

Establish additional privacy protections for reproductive health care information, including standardizing and extending the time service members have to fulfi ll their obligation to notify commanders of a pregnancy to no later than 20 weeks unless specific requirements to report sooner, such as those necessitated by occupational health hazards, are set forth in policy.

Conduct a comprehensive contraception education campaign to enhance service members’ awareness of the resources available to them and their families, including emergency contraception. That education campaign will also highlight the fact that the DoD has eliminated TRICARE co-pays for medical contraceptive services, including intrauterine devices.

Austin also directed DoD officials to develop guidance to protect health care providers, who should not be held personally liable for performing their official duties.

Additionally, Austin reiterated the DoD will not change comprehensive access to contraception and family planning services for service members and their families. He directed military medical treatment facilities, with appropriate clinical capacity, to expand their services, to include dedicated hours for walk-in contraceptive care for service members and, on a space available basis, for all other eligible beneficiaries. Some MTFs currently offer walk-in contraceptive services and all MTFs will have walk-in contraceptive services by January 2023.

TRICARE beneficiaries also no longer have to pay cost-shares or co-payments for all TRICARE-covered contraceptives. These include IUDs, hormonal shots and slow-release hormonal rods, which go under the skin. Th is change went into effect July 28. If you paid for services on or after July 28, you can submit a claim to your TRICARE contractor after Nov. 1 to receive reimbursement.

Department of the Air Force leaders sent a letter titled Total Force Airmen and Guardians on Reproductive Health Care Services on Aug. 17, 2022, listing resources and information about access to care, to include a contraception chart, covered abortions, privacy, leave policies, and the DoD FAQs. These DAF-specific resources and policies remain in place as the DoD works to meet Austin’s outlined directives.

U.S. Space Command to transfer space object tracking to Department of Commerce

By C. Todd Lopez DoD News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Right now, U.S. Space Command tracks more than 47,000 objects in space. But there are plans to transfer that responsibility to the Department of Commerce, an effort that will allow Spacecom to focus more on what’s happening in space rather than just on the tracking of objects there, the Spacecom commander said.

“My current priority is to invest in space domain awareness. To ... gain a better understanding of the activities in space,” Army Gen. James Dickinson said. “Our challenges center on ensuring the warfighter has relevant and timely data to execute missions in a very complex and changing environment.”

Dickinson outlined priorities for his command and how industry might contribute to supporting them during a Thursday conference hosted in Los Angeles by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association.

“Operationally our allies and partners are increasing their investments in [space domain awareness], offering enhanced capabilities that can augment U.S. Space Command’s globally-distributed sensor net-

work,” Dickinson said. “We must find innovative ways to create an integrated sensor network on a global

scale. Th rough an integrated network we can build knowledge of the environment. Th rough knowledge,

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The Falcon 9 Starlink rocket lifts off of Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Jan. 29, 2020.

U.S Air Force

photo by Airman 1st Class Zoe Thacker

we know we can gain better wisdom.”

Space superiority, Dickinson said, means warfighters are getting the right data, in a timely manner, to al low them to make the decisions they need to make.

“Our sensor network must better en able battle management of increasingly dynamic and changing environments,” he said.

What Spacecom is looking for, Dickinson told industry members, are new, state-of-the-art technologies not dependent on limited, onboard consumables.

“Next-generation spacecraft require renewables and resupply to extend their lifespan and assure they are available for many, many years,” he said. “This is where our partnership with industry converges. Given our pacing challenge and expansion of dynamic space oper ations, we need to leverage commercial capabilities that are available today or maybe tomorrow.”

The general said Spacecom is looking for “existing viable capabilities that are good enough,” and pointed to systems such as the Army’s Gunsmoke-J satel lite program as an example.

“We are filling space domain aware ness capacity gaps with missile warning and defense sensors such as the Army/ Navy’s TYPY2, and the Navy’s Aegis BMD ships,” he said. “I encourage aerospace companies to become part ners with U.S. Space Command in our mission … by joining the Commercial Integration Cell and/or the Commercial

Operations Cell.”

Spacecom’s commercial integration strategy, Dickinson said, is meant to set priorities and synchronize industry integration to mitigate capability gaps, but that it’s not an acquisition strategy.

“Commercial mission partners can formalize their provision of space ca pabilities through cooperative research and development agreements with our functional and service component commands,” he said. “We pursue the objectives of commercial integration because we know that industry con tributes greatly to our ability to protect and defend the United States, our allies and our partners. Our mission success is dependent on the partnerships and relationships that we build with all of you.”

Dickinson said Spacecom needs a comprehensive and diverse space do main awareness network capable which is capable of supporting dynamic space operations, and that industry will be key in making that happen.

“As America has always done, we must harness the best and the brightest to address our most significant oper ational challenges,” he said. “Military cooperation with the commercial sector is essential to our national de fense. Industry is a solution provider and force multiplier, which expands the military’s warfighting capabilities. U.S. Spacecom will not go it alone in our commitment to ensure, along with all of you, that there is never a day with out space.”

Force

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ricardo Sandoval

The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Advanced Extreme High Frequency encapsulated satellite mated with an Atlas V launch vehicle rolls out in preparation for a launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Aug. 6, 2019.

Arkansas Guardsman takes care of medical group

By Maj. Jennifer Gerhardt 188th Wing Public Affairs

FORT SMITH, Ark. — As a teenager, Ché Kinnard liked art. In college, he became more interested in the medical career field, and this passion took off when he joined the Air National Guard in 1990.

“Medical was the best choice for me because it provided hands-on, real-time medical training,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kinnard. “I believe medical is the best job for newcomers because we have a high-performing team, built on trust, inclusion, and diversity. A person can join our team and expect to be developed into a ready, medical-capable Airman who can prove combat service support to Agile Combat Employment force elements.”

Kinnard has a wide range of experience in the medical field. He’s served as a medical service technician, aerospace medical service technician, medical administrative technician, and a public health technician before assuming his current role as the medical senior enlisted leader.

As the SEL, he’s responsible for unit readiness and mission accomplishment for everyone in the 188th Medical Group. He’s also the full-time supervisory health systems specialist overseeing medical readiness for more than 1,000 Airmen to ensure they are medically ready for worldwide duties.

Th is will be important as the 188th Medical Group heads to Guatemala in October for a joint, Medical Ready Training Exercise mission with the Navy.

“While everyone else is taking care of Guatemalans, I will be responsible for taking care of the 188th people,” said Kinnard. “I will be in charge of training, plus the health, morale and welfare of our personnel while we’re there.”

It won’t be the first time he’s been to Guatemala, so he knows how important it is to take care of his medical people.

“I’ve been there about five times,” said Kinnard. “You are definitely in a Third World country. The villages we work in are affected by extreme poverty unimaginable to the average American. You want to do the most good for the most people,

but you must be realistic and take care of your own people too.”

When 188th Medical personnel arrive in country, they ride a bus to a predetermined village. Sometimes they see patients in a church or classroom, and facilities typically do not have running water.

“Everyone is very appreciative, and the kids are excited to see you,” said Kinnard. “We do the best we can with the resources we have.”

On this trip, the 188th Medical Group is partnering with the Navy’s USS Comfort.

“We will see people like usual, but if they need surgery, we will refer them to the Naval ship,” said Kinnard. “It’s actually a Navy mission, and we are supporting them with manpower. At our site, we will have 20 Air National Guard medics, 20 host-nation medics, and 20 Naval corpsmen providing care.

“Once the word gets out that we’ve come back, people start showing up,” said Kinnard. “In a short period of time, we’ll help thousands of people.”

U.S. Air Force photo by Arkansas National Guard

Senior Master Sgt. Ché Kinnard, seated, talks with members of the 188th Medical Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas. The 188th Medical Group heads to Guatemala in October 2022 for a joint, Medical Ready Training Exercise mission with the Navy.

Breast Cancer awareness monthsecond annual Bling the Bra 5K

By Minda Parsons

21st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, COLO. — On Oct. 21, 2022, the Peterson Space Force Base Health Promotion team, 21st Medical Group Radiology and the Peterson Commissary hosted the second annual Bling the Bra 5K race in support of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Over 50 participants came out to honor and support anyone affected by breast cancer.

It is estimated that almost 44,000 women and 530 men in the U.S. will die from breast cancer. No matter who you are or where you live, breast cancer may touch your life in some way.

Participants in the 5K race were en couraged to decorate a bra, take part in the contest, and wear a “Who Do You Wear Pink For?” badge as they walked or ran.

Why is this so important? According to the latest statistics, one in eight wom en will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime – that’s one person ev ery 12 minutes in the U.S.

Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women as well. Although it’s not very common, men also get breast cancer – usually one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a male.

Five steps you can start doing!

Know Your Risk

• Know your family history – it could be lifesaving

• Talk to a doctor and see how that history impacts your risk

Get Screened

• If you are at average risk, have mam mogram every year starting at age 40

• If there are any signs of breast can cer, finding it and treating it early may save your life

Know Your Normal

• It’s important to know what’s nor mal for you

• If something doesn’t look or feel right, notify your health care provider

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

• Living a healthy lifestyle is within our control

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Limit alcohol intake

• Exercise regularly Take Action

• Be proactive with your health and mammogram appointments

• Conduct monthly breast self-exams

• Communicate with your health care provider and team

• Ask questions

We look forward to next year and hope to have even more participation and fun! For more information on how to improve performance with nutrition, physical activity or sleep, please call SBD 1 Health Promotions at 719-556-4292 or email us at usaf.peterson.21sw-mdg. mbx.21-omrs-health-promotions@ health.mil

WANT

There’s

ASK

A

RANGE

Email: SBD1.PA.ActionLine@spaceforce.mil

App

“Questions?”

Website: “Contact” tab on the

click the “Contact Me” box

Schriever’s

the app or website

include your

21 CPTS CO-LOCATE WITH MPF

address.

The Peterson fi nance office will be going through a remodel beginning in October and lasting through December. Until construction is complete, they will have technicians co-located with the MPF on the fi rst floor. Customers can walk into the MPF and sign into the kiosk for fi nance assistance. In processing briefi ngs will still take place in the computer lab on the second floor on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

When: Starting Monday, Oct. 3

Where: Peterson Finance Office

SBD 1 LEGAL LIMITED OPS

When: Oct. 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Peterson Legal Office

Details: The SBD 1 Legal Office will have limited ops as we work some relocation of office furniture for construction at our Schriever Office. Notary and Power of Attorneys will be available during the times above, but all other services will be limited until we return at 1 p.m. each day.

NERD NITE

Who: Any DoD ID Cardholder and youth ages 10 and up

When: Thursday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. Check-in at the event for all tournaments will be no later than 5:45 p.m.

Where: Peterson SFB Hub Ballroom

POC: SSgt Andrew Tello - andrew.tello@spaceforce.mil

Details: Nerd Nite Sponsored by 21 FSS in coordination with the Peterson-Schriever Clubs. Come participate in Smash Bros, MarioKart, and Magic the Gathering tournaments with prizes for each. There will also be a costume/cosplay contest with prizes, virtual reality activities, D&D, and classic arcade games.

Free pizza and drinks for all attendees!

UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE GUIDANCE

Primary/Initial Series — Pfi zer-BioNTech

• Available Fridays

• Ages 12 and older

• You must schedule an appt for your all doses.

• Your second dose should occur 21 days after your fi rst dose. However, if necessary the second dose can occur 4 days early or up to 14 days after the 21-day recommendation.

Primary/Initial Series — Moderna

• Available Thursdays

• Ages 18 and up can receive the Moderna vaccine

• Your second dose should occur 28 days after your fi rst dose. If necessary the second dose can occur 4 days early or up to 14 days after the 21-day recommendation.

Booster/Additional Dose

Pfi zer-BioNTech Booster vaccines are available on Fridays for ages 12 and older

Moderna booster is available for all beneficiaries ages 18 years and older on Thursdays

Boosters are available if you meet the following criteria: Completed a primary/initial series

It has been at least 5 months after completing Moderna/ Pfi zer series OR at least 2 months after receiving Janssen

Individuals may select which booster they would like by scheduling on the day that they are being offered.

Individuals may mix and match types after completing initial series. No boosters are available for dependents under the age of 18 at this time. Second boosters are available for beneficiaries 50 and older or members who are moderately/severely immunocompromised with a script from their PCM.

ADULT COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS

Where: Immunizations, Peterson SFB Main Clinic: 559 Vincent St, Peterson SFB, CO 80914

Details: Visit https://informatics-stage.health.mil/ COVAX/to make an appointment.

PEDIATRIC COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS

Who: Children ages 5-11 can receive the Pfi zerBioNTech vaccine as long as legal guardian is present

What: 21 MDG is now providing pediatric Pfi zer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Just like in adults, 2 doses given 3 weeks apart are required for a child to be fully vaccinated.

Where: Immunizations, Peterson SFB Main Clinic: 559 Vincent St, Peterson SFB, CO 80914

Details: Visit https://informatics-stage.health.mil/ COVAX/ to make an appointment.

the

at

Street

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Cascade – $349,900

Tiny house in the mountains. 840 sq. ft. rustic cabin in Cascade. 1 bed, den, 1 bath. Views in every direction. Private trail system with stream & waterfall is right there. Old stone building (maybe an original homestead). Shed for storage. Knotty pine floors, walls, & ceilings. 2 wood burning stoves less than 15 minutes to Colorado Springs. MLS# 8716220

Wagon Tongue - $399,900

1736 sq. ft. modular rancher on 1/2 acre overlooking a private community stocked fishing lake. The community is surrounded by national forest. Mountain views in every direction. 3 beds, 2 baths, & 30x24’ garage. New carpet & paint. No close neighbors other than deer, elk, eagles, & all kinds of Colorado wildlife. MLS# 2261283

Beautiful & immaculate rancher townhome with 1-level living. Corner end unit with 2 patios. 2532 sq. ft. 4 beds, 3 baths, 2-car garage. Gas log fireplace. A/C. Granite kitchen. Engineered wood floors. Surround sound. Newer hot water heater & furnace. Backs to common area with big trees & lush grass. HOA covers everything outside for you. MLS# 3798819

Remuda Lane