Service before self -- It’s not just for Airmen Published July 21, 2009 By Lt. Col. Jeanette Voigt 32nd Air Refueling Squadron commander Joint Base MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- I recently returned from a deployment in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. It was an amazing experience to work with other deployed Airmen in the execution of our combat mission. For four months, I worked with Airmen from all kinds of specialties. Each of us took great pride in our work, but we realized that what we did wasn't important in and of itself. It was only when all of our efforts came together in support of the wing's mission that our work became meaningful. That deployment was the most rewarding period in my Air Force career, and it was a powerful example of service before self. Now that I'm back home, I'm in an unfamiliar role. My husband just deployed to Iraq, and I'm the spouse left behind to maintain the household. Even though he's only been gone for a week, I fully feel his absence in our family. Of course, I miss him and I worry for his safety. But now I'm also responsible for everything with maintaining our household, from grocery shopping to home repair. I'm responsible for everything with caring for our children, from homework to sports practice. I have all of the responsibilities I had before and then some, and I have to do it all under the emotional strain of our family separation. The challenges ahead of me are just as daunting as the ones I faced during my own deployment. My experience is no different than that of every other military family that stays behind during a deployment. Husbands and wives at home still need to keep their households running, keep the bills paid and keep their families safe. The children need to adjust to life without that parent right there for them. The families need to stay strong so that the deployed member can concentrate on the combat mission without having to worry about problems back at home. And yet none of these family members stood up to take an oath to do this; they have no obligation to the military. As they quietly go about their lives and support their Airman, they embody selfless service just as much as those who deploy. We can all play a role in helping families stay strong during the challenges of deployment. Commanders and supervisors need to reach out to the families of deployed members to let them know that they are not alone and make them aware of the many Air Force programs and services that are available to help them. Neighbors and friends of deployed members can be good wingmen by checking on their families and helping them to get the assistance they need. Finally, all Airmen have a responsibility to prepare their families for deployment. By updating wills and powers of attorney, preparing instructions for unfamiliar responsibilities and providing contact information for important services, individuals can relieve some of the anxiety that comes from their absence. Our Airmen are what makes us the best Air Force on this planet. The most advanced technology, the most brilliant strategy is worthless without strong, smart Airmen to exploit them. The Air Force devotes lots of resources to the training and development of our force, but no Air Force program can provide the kind of support that comes from a loving family. It's their service before self that allows us to selflessly serve.