USSTRATCOM Enlisted Corps Spotlight

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The Enlisted Corps Spotlight highlights U.S. Strategic Command's best enlisted Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines hand-picked by USSTRATCOM's senior enlisted leader for their job performance, leadership and service. A new enlisted servicemember will be chosen and recognized each month.

Spotlight for March 2014

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Tech Sgt. Melissa Barbett

How does your job support USSTRATCOM and our missions?
My job consists of managing a variety of personnel and administrative programs. It's the basic foundation of a member's career. Personnel records have a direct impact on a servicemember's promotion and pay, evaluation, decorations, travel, time off, assignments, etc. When those issues are not in order, it's hard to concentrate on the mission and task at hand. I believe that is how my job supports the USSTRATCOM mission.
What do you find most rewarding about your work at USSTRATCOM?
What has been most rewarding while at USSTRATCOM, particularly in Global Strike, is I've been given the trust and freedom to run with whatever project I've been involved with and to make decisions, which I feel promotes genuine teamwork, creativity, the drive to be successful and has led to enormous achievement for our team.
What has been a challenge for you regarding your work at USSTRATCOM and how have you overcome that challenge?
The most challenging obstacle at USSTRATCOM that I've overcome is not work related, but it was initially learning my way around the building. Initially, I was embarrassed every time I had to turn around again in the hallway but I saw so many other people doing it too that eventually, it just made me smile.
What has been your most memorable experience in the military?
My most memorable experience was when I was chosen as a young A1C to be the executive assistant to the command chief master sergeant at the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. As a young Airman, I was given the opportunity to see the "mission" from a different point of view, one I may not have seen otherwise, and those experiences have broadened my perspective as I continue to grow within the Air Force.
What is the one piece of information or advice about working at USSTRATCOM that you'd pass on to new members of the USSTRATCOM team?
My advice would be to keep an open mind. You may find that in your joint assignment you learn more about yourself and your own service as you will about your sister services.
Tech Sgt. Melissa Barbett

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