Now serving: Air Force Reserve smiles and professional service at 28,000 feet Published Nov. 4, 2006 By Capt. Stan Paregien 932nd Airlift Wing Scott AFB, Ill. -- Unique flight attendants positions available at Scott Air Force Base When distinguished visitors fly on missions around America and the world, they receive the best "care in the air", and some of the freshest, hot, and tasty meals prepared by Air Force Command Reservists. These aircrew members are part of a select group of military flight attendants. The flight attendants are members of the 73rd Airlift Squadron that trains pilots and flight attendants at the 932nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit located on Scott Air Force Base, Ill., not far from Saint Louis, Missouri. The wing currently flies missions on the C-9C aircraft and will also fly the new C-40C planes, with the first one slated to arrive in February 2007. Both planes will be used in these special missions. It takes a special person to make service the top priority at 28,000 feet, while juggling many duties in flight with VIP-level guests. Tech Sgt. Tom Otten is one of those special flight attendants. "I love being a flight attendant because it gives me the opportunity to truly live the motto of service before self. Our entire job revolves around putting others first, and caring for their needs above our own. The amount of planning, flexibility, and hard work that it takes to fly a mission is something that I find very challenging and very rewarding. There was one aspect of the job he had very little experience with though: recipes and meal preparation. "I had no cooking background; however, the Flight Attendant School was able to turn me into a very good cook. I had no prior flying experience, and therefore, I found all of the aircraft training very interesting. "The job also has its share of benefits to include a great opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally," said Sergeant Otten. The schooling required of flight attendants is not easy by a long shot. Reserve flight attendants are trained and tested in many aspects of the flying portion of the mission including conducting a pre-flight inspection, handling in- flight emergencies, and evacuating passengers in an emergency landing. All of the training is centered on customer service, which flight attendants are expected to deliver at the highest degree possible. The flight attendant mission contributes to the "warrior" mindset as they go around the United States and the globe. "We ensure that those leading and directing our warriors are able to do their jobs. If we can get our policy makers where they need to be, and have them arrive refreshed and happy, then they will be better equipped to handle their obligations," said Sergeant Otten. The job is similar to commercial airline flight attendants, but without the ever-changing rush of crowds. "Our job is head and shoulders above the airline industry's standard flight attendant. The only job that might come close would be a corporate flight attendant; however, we even have a much greater responsibility than that, simply by the fact that they cater their meals, and we prepare all of our gourmet meals fresh, and we do most of the cooking on the plane," Sergeant Otten continued. The 932nd Airlift Wing needs more flight attendants as the new C-40C aircraft comes off the production line in early 2007. "All of the challenges facing our great nation around the world have placed a greater demand for our country's leaders to be present at more places throughout the world. The U.S. Air Force ensures that the most powerful people in the world get safely where they need to be," Sergeant Otten said. After being away from active duty for almost 12 years, Sergeant Otten felt compelled to come back in and help his country. "Upon learning about the new flight attendant position, I knew I could best serve my country by directly serving my country's leaders. The job has been very challenging and even more rewarding," Sergeant Otten concluded. Flight attendant training consists of several pieces of training including: the Basic Flight Attendant Course taught at Lackland Air Force Base, Tx. Combat & Water Survival taught at Fairchild AFB, Wa., EAUC (Enlisted Aircrew Undergraduate Course) which is currently taught at Lackland AFB, Tx., and Egress Simulator Training which is taught by a major airline. Staff Sergeant April Tarbill grew up in Kent, Wa., and wanted to be a pilot since she was little, but she said, "unfortunately I didn't have the eyesight to be one. I joined the Air Force late because I had no direction in my life back then. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life or what I wanted to be when I grew up. Joining the military for me is the most rewarding opportunity to give back to all those who have served before me," she said. "I went through these flight attendant schools when I was on active duty, EAUC which is a 17 day course which also usually includes the Altitude Chamber, is a school that all flyers must attend in order to become a flyer. This class is an overview of becoming a crew member. "The Basic Flight Attendant Course is a five week course covering such things as becoming a flyer, how to evacuate the airplane in an emergency, getting to know your emergency equipment on the airplane, and of course, the culinary part, which is the cooking. That's how to cook at high altitude, portion control, presentation, etc.," said Sergeant Tarbill. This is one reason why military members cross-training must have at least a five level in their current career field to enter the flight attendant program. It takes a lot of time to get to the five level to begin with, so this helps the 932nd Airlift Wing by hiring someone experienced in Air Force business. Combat Survival teaches flight attendants and other crew members how to survive in the outdoor elements, and how to evade others, and what to do if they are somehow captured. Water survival class teaches them how to survive if they have to ditch the plane in water somewhere. Egress Simulator Training is taught by the major commercial airlines. This course shows flight attendants how to evacuate an airplane in different scenarios. It also covers ditching as well. It all adds up to a well-rounded professional flight attendant. "The hardest part so far about being a flight attendant is the hours. It is not necessarily the hours that you have to work, like long flight hours, but the actual hour of the day that you have to get up and prepare for a flight. "I've had many flights where I have to get up at midnight so that I can travel and be at the airplane two hours prior to take off, for a four a.m. takeoff time. Trying to go to bed early enough to sleep long enough for a long flight is hard on the body, and with all the time changing you do, I can't say it is easy. It is just an adjustment you get used to," said Sergeant Tarbill. "In my years in the military, I have been able to give first class service to a variety of people like The First Lady of the United States, the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Interior, the CIA Director, the Speaker of the House, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just to name a few," said Sergeant Tarbill. How does Sergeant Tarbill see herself and her fellow flight attendants helping out America for the greater cause? "I was in downtown Washington D.C. one night with a friend looking at our treasured national monuments. He had been deployed several times and I told him I felt like I was not doing my part by being deployed. He told me, I play a vital role in the world. He reminded me it is my job to get the leaders to the places that they need to be. They need to be fed and rested in order for them to discuss what they need to discuss. We fly leaders all over the world so that they can discuss peace talks. We help our fellow warriors in the bigger scheme of things," Sergeant Tarbill said. "I chose to be a flight attendant because I had the idea that all military members traveled. I came into the military because I had no direction in my life at the time, but I also wanted to travel. She had traveled some as a "military brat" growing up, but wanted to see and experience the world on her own as a military flight attendant. Training takes top priority before travel though. "We do take cues from the airline industry when it comes to training, just more from the corporate side of the house rather than the commercial. Since we fly the bigger jets, the C-9C, and soon the C-40C, we need our simulator egress (practice evacuating the plane) through the major commercial airlines, but our service is that of corporate. We give first class individual service to each of our passengers, rather than just a walk down the aisle passing out pretzels and a cup of soda," Sergeant Tarbill said. She realizes that there are constantly going to be leaders that need to be flown all over the world. "There will always be a need for flight attendants in the military, however, I would tell people if they choose to be a flight attendant, do it for the right reasons. Traveling is an added bonus to this job, but it is not the primary duty as a flight attendant. Our primary job is the safe, comfortable and reliable service of getting our passengers to and from their place of business. We have a hard job. I am not going to tell you that it is easy. "How many jobs can you find in the military where you work when you fly, and when you hit the ground that time is yours? There is a lot that goes into just the prep work before the mission even leaves the ground. But if you are willing to do the work, this is the job for you," said Sergeant Tarbill. Col. Maryanne Miller is the wing commander at the 932nd Airlift Wing in Illinois, and she understands why these Citizen Airmen chose to become Air Force Reserve Command flight attendants. "It's an exciting time in our wing's history. We represent the only wing in Air Force Reserve Command that provides executive airlift support for our nation's senior leaders. Supporting our nation with superior service is a mission we understand and enjoy doing," she said. Colonel Miller has over 4,400 flying hours in a variety of Air Force planes including the C-141, C-5, and the current C-9C distinguished visitor aircraft. "From our maintainers, to our pilots and flight attendants, I can truly say we have engaged this mission with the customer in mind. I have dedicated professionals doing this mission day to day, and I am extremely proud of their service and commitment," Colonel Miller added. The commander pointed out that Air Force Reserve Command and the 932nd Airlift Wing have worked closely with the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, ensuring synergy of resources and smart operations while we stand up this new mission. In addition, the 201st Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base has been integral in assisting with our pilot currency until our new C-40C aircraft arrive in February of 2007. It is truly an integrated operational approach to operational support airlift and our distinguished visitor mission," said Colonel Miller. Tech. Sgt. David Brown is originally from Michigan and was in the Marines from 1985-1992. He eventually joined the 932nd Airlift Wing as a crew chief on the old C-9A aeromedical platform and did that on both the C-9A and the follow- on aircraft, the C-9C, until one fateful Sunday morning. "I got into the flight attendant career field by chance. I was talking with Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Pomeroy at church one Sunday and he told me how there was a new type of job coming open in the 73rd Airlift Squadron. "He said I had the personality that fits the job. On that next Monday morning, I shot him an email and he gave me another number. I called it and the process started from there. "One of the biggest challenges I face is the time spent away from home. My family is very active, with sports and activities at our church. When I am on a long trip I sometimes feel I am missing something. I find myself getting homesick in about a day or so. Balancing college, work and family can be a major challenge alone, without being gone a lot," Sergeant Brown said. Sergeant Brown pointed out that the tone of each trip is normally set when he meets the contact. The contact is the direct link between the flight attendants and the distinguished visitors. "I feel that if you make a good impression on the contact during the initial meeting, everything will run smoothly. I mean to be flexible when discussing what type of meal service that contact wants. I try to treat the DV how I would like to be treated, if I were flying," said Sergeant Brown. Director of Operations for the 73rd Airlift Squadron, Lt. Col. Barry Rutledge, is proud of the men and women who cater to the needs of a wide range of people on the flights. "The job these flight attendants do is incredible. They perform at an outstanding level--but not just for one flight of one mission--they do it on every leg, of every mission. That level of service and dedication is unparalleled in my opinion. I stand in awe of these folks. We need more of these dedicated professionals in order to continue to grow this outstanding flight attendant section to enable it to meet its tasking. One of the newest team members recently selected to be a flight attendant, is Staff Sergeant Danielle "Dani" Long, who was previously an Air Reserve Technician at the 419th Communications Squadron at Hill Air Force Base. One day in Utah, she and a coworker were discussing their future plans. "I told my friend I had always worked for other people who got to see the world, and I wanted to do the same and be a flight attendant. The very next day I got an electronic mail message about it and I sent my package and was accepted," Sergeant Long said. She sold almost all her belongings, hopped in her car, and headed east on the highway from Utah to Illinois. "Now I'm part of the 932nd Airlift Wing aircrew. Not only do we share the same passion for serving the passengers, but while most people are watching the Travel Channel, we are out there living it," she smiled. Smiles, pride and the ultimate professional flight attendant service all happen on each Air Force Reserve C-9C flight at 28,000 feet. Starting in March of 2007, it will also take place on new C-40C aircraft. The 932nd Airlift Wing continues to recruit and fill these important slots. Interested in applying for the demanding and rewarding job of an Air Force Reserve Command flight attendant? Applicants must qualify for a Top Secret clearance, be available to fly a 10 day trip every three months, and be within the Air Force fit-to-fight standards. Applicants must also pass a board interview process and meet flight physical requirements as a flying crew member. Call (618)-229-7173 or a local recruiter more information.