Fairchild’s Finest: Staff Sgt. John Freeling

Published Feb. 19, 2014
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Unit: 92nd Contracting Squadron

Duty title: Unit Deployment Manager / Unit Training Manager

Hometown: Paradise, CA

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild AFB? As a unit deployment manager, I work one-on-one with our members to ensure they are 100% prepared for their upcoming deployments. I schedule them for pre-deployment training, prepare their records with the proper documentation for their deployed location, and complete any special pre-entry requirements. I also draft a variety of reports to accurately reflect our current readiness status. As a unit training manager, I oversee the training status of all members of our squadron, both military and civilian. I coordinate formal training requests, track CDC and UGT progression, and ensure training records are properly documented, as well as maintain documents to be used in weekly, monthly and quarterly briefings.

What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy doing a job that has such a large impact on the squadron. When I succeed at my job, I succeed for my unit, and my coworkers.

Why did you choose to serve in the military? Originally, I joined for two reasons: First, because I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school, and second, because of the education benefits. I am glad that even in my naivety, I made the correct choice.

Family: My mother Martha lives in Montana working at a car dealership, my father Craig lives in Post Falls, Idaho, and works at Cabelas. I have two half siblings Noel and Phillip. I met my wife, Danielle, seven and a half years ago at the bowling alley on Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

Time in military: eight years and two months.

Greatest accomplishment: Though I didn't receive an award or certificate of any kind, I view my successful retraining into Contracting as my greatest accomplishment because of the opportunities that have opened up for myself and my family. Because of this, we were able to move to Fairchild AFB, meet all the wonderful people we have, and I've obtained a skill set that will benefit me for the rest of my life.

Goals you want to achieve or meet while at the Fairchild AFB: Finally sew on Technical Sergeant, complete my BBA, and possibly get selected for a Developmental Special Duty.

Hobbies: Woodworking, playing guitar, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and extreme obstacle course racing.

Your best habit: Staying calm, calculated and organized, even during chaotic times.

Favorite Quote: I don't have one. I've never been big on quotes.

Favorite movies: Broken Arrow

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him/her: My most memorable mentor is Master Sgt. Dave Johnson. When I was at Mountain Home AFB working in maintenance, he entered the section as the new superintendent. At the time, I had a line number for Staff Sergeant I was working on a project for one of my programs and asked him if it was to his liking. He responded by saying "If you have to ask, I'll just have them pull the stripe." That startled me. In the weeks that followed, he would take me to the side every now and then and chat with me about what it means to be an NCO. The most memorable lesson from Sergeant Johnson was to have a sense of ownership of your work product, no matter what it was. I've carried that mentality with me ever since.

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why: My Uncle John. I never met him, because he died as a result of complications from exposure to Agent Orange from his tour in Vietnam. He served in the Air Force as an aerial photographer/Intel, to the best of my knowledge. I don't know much about him, but from what I hear, we have a lot in common.

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Fairchild’s Finest: Staff Sgt. John Freeling