More than a secretary: 403rd Wing mentor retires

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Heiney
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs

There are certain people in this world who seem to be naturally enveloped in light. And they use that light to help, guide and inspire those around them.

Wanda Bowman, the 403rd Wing commander’s secretary, is one of those people.

She started her Air Force journey in 1979 when she married her husband Bill, who was an active-duty Airman at the time, and became a military spouse. She started her own civil-service career in 1982, and will retire in a ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility auditorium 2 p.m. Friday.

For 34 years Bowman has been at the right hand of leaders across the military. She’s held positions for the Community College of the Air Force, the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course, and the U.S. Commander in Chief, Pacific Command, and she has been an integral part of the 403rd Wing for the last 20 years.

“Looking back I’ve had some really cool jobs,” Bowman said. “While I never signed on that dotted line, I always felt like my blood ran blue and that I have a strong commitment to the Air Force.”

She said that when she worked for the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course she had the opportunity several times a year to interact with generals and flag officers from all the services. During the two-week courses they would bring in guest speakers, including the Secretary of the Air Force, congressional leaders and retired military leaders.

“It was such a unique opportunity to see that history, be able to interact with those leaders and see how all the services work together,” Bowman said. “That opened my eyes to how different the services are and yet how alike they are.”

When she, her husband and their two daughters were stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, she watched a Navy admiral ride into work before the sun every morning. She said she could see the light glowing in the back of the car and see from his shadow that he was already reviewing the morning’s workload.

“We’re very cocooned in the military. We think that it must be nice to sit at the top and not realize what a tremendous responsibility it is,” Bowman said.

This example also illustrates her own dedication because she was also up before the sun, watching the admiral drive in and preparing for the day.

“I think Wanda, more than any other person, epitomizes the core values of the Air Force because she does not think it’s all about her but about the mission,” said Lt. Col. Pat Thompson, 403rd Wing chaplain.

As the commander’s secretary, Bowman is both the face of the wing and the one behind the scenes. She greets visitors before they see commanders, coordinates official functions for the wing, and makes sure people get paid on time by helping process civilian time cards and military orders. 

“Sometimes people don’t appreciate the role that admin plays in supporting the mission,” Bowman said. “If we’re not there, you certainly feel it if the orders aren’t cut or the itineraries aren’t typed or the supplies aren’t bought.

“We don’t always realize that what we do is a cog in the wheel that enables the man or woman leading us to make the best decisions they can,” she said. “Whether you’re an orders clerk or a pilot, you have a role in this wing and this organization. Without both and everything in between, this wing wouldn’t function at its full potential.”

Col. Michael Manion, 403rd Wing commander, said that every time he gives Bowman a project he knows that he can step away from it and not worry because there is no doubt that it will get done.

 “I can’t even count all the things she does, she just keeps things flowing here at the wing,” he said.

Bowman is also always there for others when they need her. She answers questions and gives advice to anyone who approaches her and is also there for those who don’t have anyone else. Thompson said that Bowman will often attend funerals not only of the people who’d been a part of her life, but also the Fallen Hero funerals of service members who pass away and have no family left behind. While Thompson jokingly calls her a ‘professional mourner’ he also said that what she does matters.

“Everybody deserves to be mourned,” he said. “It take a special person to do that, and I know as a pastor I appreciate having people there.”

“Wanda makes you want to be better,” Thompson said. “I don’t think people realize what a big hole is going to be there when she leaves. We can hire someone to do her ‘job’ but we all depend on Wanda for so much more than that.”  

 “She’s been great to get to know and become friends with,” Manion said. “You’re better for having met her.”

For 20 years Bowman has watched commanders come and go and watched the Air Force as a whole evolve and change.

“She has been the continuity of the wing through all the different wing commanders, policies and personalities,” said Doris Stotler, 403rd Maintenance Group commander’s secretary.

For Bowman, moving to Keesler AFB in 1996 and accepting the position she currently holds gave her an opportunity to really put down roots and build relationships with the people around her.

“The Air Force Reserve offers the unique opportunity for you to make an investment in your unit and its people,” Bowman said. “When you spend a large part of your day with people, it’s hard not to feel a personal connection.”

Some of the most important lessons that Bowman said she learned throughout her career involved finding balance and understanding herself and others.

She also said that her biggest challenge was finding that balance between work and family life and, “Trying to be 100 percent for work and 100 percent wife and mother along with everything else that life throws at you.”

She also said that it’s important to go on school trips and take leave to spend time with family without feeling guilt. She said, “Don’t think ‘I’ll do the next one’ because there might be something else that comes up.

“If you know what motivates you and where your true interests lie, work toward those goals,” she said. “Get the education and don’t be afraid to try new things. Stepping outside your comfort zone is a good thing.”

She also said it’s critical to prioritize different aspects of life.

“For me it’s God first, my family, specifically my husband, and then work because if I can keep that order in my life, then everything else just falls into place.”

Bowman said that she considers her two daughters to be her greatest accomplishment.

“I consider it a blessing and an honor to watch them and see what their possibilities are, and it’s exciting to see where God is taking them.”

Bowman began her Air Force journey at Keesler when her husband was here for technical school and said she feels as though her journey has come full circle because they both will have retired here.  

But as for the 403rd Wing, Manion said, “There will be no replacing her.”