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Never be afraid to ask for help

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Trina Pharr
  • 514th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
"[People who fail...] do what is tension relieving, while winners do what is goal achieving, said best by Dennis Waitley. Establishing goals and working towards them are great ways to maintain measured focus and completion of tasks. I found this to be most true as I prepared to take my USAF fitness test.

As a Reservist with the 514th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing and as many of us have experienced, I was preparing and working very hard. With just a few weeks before the big day, I wasn't performing at a level to "comfortably" pass the test. Since the fitness test can be career-impacting, my confidence and career options hung in the balance. Needless to say, I generated enough anxiety, doubt and trepidation weeks leading into the event. Now, that's a sneak peek into my life as a reservist stationed at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, NJ.

Fast forward to my life as a civilian and I work as a systems analyst and trainer with the 87th Medical Group, 87th ABW, JBMDL. Through a training event, I met Capt Andrew Gawlikowski, one of the lead pharmacists at the 87th MDG. At one of our breaks,, we talked about the USAF fitness test and I shared some of my personal areas of improvement. During our conversation, Capt "'G", as we respectively call him, invited me to join his staff and run in the weeks leading up to the test. I jumped at the opportunity.

While in "training", I learned Capt G routinely exercises with his team members -- enhancing morale while preparing them to pass their fitness test. On one our team runs, I remember he said... "don't focus on how tired you are, smell the honeysuckle!"

By any means necessary, Capt G has a reputation for pushing those he works with to reach beyond their personal limits. Why? Because he wants everyone to do more than pass - he wants you to do your very best!

In the days leading up to my test, Capt G gave me important tips on which foods to eat, hydration, rest, as well as how to focus myself during the actual run. As good graces and to my great surprise, Capt G offered to pace me on test day - a Saturday and his day off! As we waited at the start, my nerves at their peak, I remember he looked and said calmly, "relax, you can do this."

In hindsight, my run was not without a lot of effort and I was tempted to stop a few times. But Capt G focused on my ¼ lap times, gave me encouragement...stayed in my head throughout and pushed me to a strong finish.

Because of his dedicated efforts and my own preparation, I am proud to report - I passed! Not only that, my run time decreased by 2 minutes and with my other efforts, my overall test score improved by 12% -- in just 3 months!

In 22 years of military service, there have been few people in my career who truly embody the motto, "I am your Wingman." At the end of the day, if he's your Wingman, you can trust Capt G has your back. Mores, Capt G is a real-world, living example of what the USAF core values represent - not just the words.

What I appreciate most is that Capt G didn't have to help me. He sacrificed valuable personal and family time after long duty days, for which I am very grateful.

As his 514th AMW reserve counterpart, Capt G's selfless actions also represent what it means to truly work in tandem on a Joint Base -- as JBMDL, NJ represents all branches, active duty, guard and reserve.

So what lessons can you learn from my personal experience? Set realistic, measurable goals, practice, practice, practice, and never, ever be afraid to ask for help. As the old Ethiopian proverb says, "when spider webs unite... they can tie up the [biggest] of lions."