Employers to experience military life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen Razo
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Every day millions of Americans watch their TVs or listen to their radios to hear the latest on events surrounding the ongoing global war on terror. For many, it's not a personal issue -- those events are half a world away. For employers attending Bosses Day 2009 in February, the global conflict won't get any closer to home.

"Citizen Airmen are a critical piece in the war on terror," says Master Sgt. Ted Cravener, 944th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist. "When we have employers visit us on Bosses Day, they witness up close how our training allows us to make a difference where it counts."

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal shop is always a popular stop for the visiting employers because what they experience effectively brings the conflict home. During their short visit, EOD specialists will bring numerous bomb disposal robots to life, have them hold land mines in their hands, see what a roadside bomb looks like, and learn how 944th FW reservists neutralize those and other explosive weapons.

"The war is so publicized that we tend to become immune to the real dangers our Citizen Airmen are in when deployed," Sergeant Cravener said. "After a visit with us, they know how easily someone can be killed by a roadside bomb and how our training prevents situations like that to occur more frequently."

The annual employer visit also allows the EOD shop to present the latest technologies and methods in the EOD world, but what really provides the biggest impact is a chance to don the bulky, heavy bomb suit.

According to Sergeant Cravener, the bomb suit is always a hit because as comical as it is to see someone trying to put it on, it is also a good indicator of how much protection is needed when dealing with unexploded ordnance.

The annual 944th FW Bosses Day provides wing member's civilian employers a great opportunity to experience the roles and missions of the wing. After a breakfast and greeting from wing staff in the morning, bosses are bused around the wing and visit various areas to gain firsthand knowledge on current training and accomplishments. Stops include the communications squadron, the security police flight, and the medical squadron. 

Unit members can click here to nominate their boss to attend Bosses Day.