Citizen Airmen: What They Do the Other 338 Days of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kimberly Erickson
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  This story is part 1 of a 3 part series on 403rd Wing Reservists' civilian jobs.

For some, finding balance between family and work is, at best, an optimistic New Year's resolution. For 403rd Wing Reservist Staff Sgt. Deanna Attaway, a mother of three working full time while pursuing her master's degree, it's a necessary way of life.

Sergeant Attaway drills with the 403rd Wing, located at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., one weekend a month with an additional 15-day annual tour. When she isn't working in the wing education office, she is director of USO for the Gulf Coast, serving Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The nonprofit organization provides support to military members through morale and recreational services.

Just two weeks after beginning work with USO, Sergeant Attaway was offered and accepted a director's position, which she has held for the past two years.

"The most rewarding aspects (of the job) are also the most exhausting," Sergeant Attaway said. "When troops leave the airport, you know that the USO staff and volunteers are probably some of the last friendly faces from home that they're going to see for the next six months."

"Monday through Friday, I wear a suit and play the role of professional businesswoman, raising money for the troops," she said. "Then on Saturday, I jump in uniform and fill the role of Citizen Airman."

Prior to working as a USO director, Sergeant Attaway served on active duty for nearly 12 years in both security forces and as a military training leader at Keesler.

Sergeant Attaway said her decision to rejoin the Air Force as a 403rd Reservist following a two-year break in military service was largely based on her previous experiences here.

"I chose the 403rd because I still feel a strong sense of commitment to this area and to the base," she said.

"I felt like I had lost a part of myself after I was out of the military for about six months, said Sergeant Attaway. "(Working for) USO, you're around military all the time, and I found myself wanting to be a part of that again."

Sergeant Attaway said she wasn't sure what to expect when transitioning into the Reserve. "What I thought was going to be a disadvantage, that everyone seems to be a tight-knit family, is definitely something that facilitates a lot of continuity and brings cohesiveness to the entire wing."

Additionally, she said her experience in the Reserve compliments her civilian job as a USO director. "I know that I'm becoming more educated on the 403rd's mobility commitment and processes, which will help me better serve our Reservists when they deploy.

"The Reserve gives you an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself. When you're new to the military at 18, you tend to take what you do for granted --when you're faced with the reality of the civilian world, you realize everything the military taught you was to prepare you for something," Sergeant Attaway said.

"That's one of the things that drew me back: service to my country."