SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- After over 15 years of civilian service, the 932nd Military and Family Readiness Center program manager closed her Air Force career, which originated from active duty military service at the age of 19.
Deb Teague, a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., recently received farewells and recognition during a retirement event Sep. 29, 2023, attended by her fellow co-workers and friends at the 932nd AW, where she served seven years as the lead in the 932nd M&FRC, but with 24 years of combined service to the 932nd AW.
932nd AW leadership offered praise for Teague and her service and accomplishments. Many co-workers expressed she has made a positive impact on the Wing, but both expressed she will be missed.
“It will be big shoes to fill after Deb retires,” said Lt. Col. Colleen Galloway, 932nd Force Support Squadron commander, “There is a lot of knowledge going out the door and I hope we’ll be able to keep the standards she set. It was an honor to learn from her and she will be greatly missed.”
Her career encompassed over 42 years working of active duty, Reserve and civil service time.
Teague began her military service on active duty in 1980 as an F-5, T-33 and T-39 avionic instrument systems specialist at Clark Air Base, Philippines, then later re-training into substance abuse counseling, but separated from active duty in 1988.
“When I left active duty in 1988, I joined my spouse overseas, and then joined the Reserve in Oct 1990 as a substance abuse counselor at Charleston (Air Force Base),” said Teague. “I came to the 932nd in September 1996 when they moved substance abuse counselors to medical.”
“My husband got orders to Andrews (Air Force Base) and I transferred there in Equal Opportunity,” added Teague. “We came back to Scott in 2005 and retrained into family support.”
Teague remained in Airman and Family Readiness until her retirement from the Air Force Reserve in 2015.
In the midst of her Reserve career, she began her civil service career in 2008 as the active duty 375th Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. When an opportunity arose in 2016 at the 932nd AW, she was hired as the A&FRC program manager.
Teague recalls one of her best memories with the 932nd AW were the C-40 flights. During her first ride in the C-40 to Homestead Air Reserve Base, she remembers sitting in the cockpit for takeoff, and on her fini-flight, she sat in the cockpit for landing.
She recants the other memorable moments, which include attending multiple Airman Leadership School graduations, annual awards banquets, wing family days, deployment activities, her 932nd military retirement ceremony in the 932nd AW Auditorium, dining outs and developing relationships with all the people that have become family.
The 932nd Mission Support Group deputy commander echoed her accolades for Teague and highlighted her service to other Airmen.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Deb Teague is the best and most passionate Military and Family Readiness Program Manager AF Reserve Command,” said Lt. Col. Amy Morgan, 932nd MSG deputy commander. “The 932nd AW has reaped the positive impacts of Deb’s years of service and steadfast commitment to upholding the core values of the Air Force – integrity, service, and excellence, each and every day. She is a shining example of what caring for Airmen looks like.”