Rock Solid Warrior: Tech. Sgt. Michael Valentin

  • Published
  • By Courtesy Story
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  SOUTHWEST ASIA – I’m Tech. Sgt. Michael Valentin, the 386th chapel NCO in charge. I am deployed from the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. I initially wanted to join the Air Force to help pay for my last year of college, but after joining my reason became about the love I have for my country and making a difference where, when, and with those I could.

I am a Chaplain Assistant and have been placed as the acting superintendent. My job is to help keep our chaplains safe along with providing crisis intervention to all deployed members. Having 100 percent confidentiality gives members the opportunity to speak to anyone on the staff without fear of anything being retold to the general population.

In a deployed environment, we are constantly working around the clock to make sure the mission is accomplished and we continue to do what’s needed to keep the enemy at bay. At home station, I am a reservist so I still help keep the mission going and I continue to help people in need during my drill weekends and then go back to my civilian job as a full-time firefighter for Chelsea, Mass.

Some challenges are being away from my family, friends and loved ones, especially my beloved fiancé, Krissi, but having the ability to write to them and the base having Wi-Fi helps tremendously, as I can call or Facetime. Some other challenges are situations one encounters while helping members in need. Sometimes the crisis they are trying to get through affects you as you are trying to help them. Getting through some of the different emotions from helping others can be hard, but going to the gym and going for a run really help me.

My professional goals are putting on master sergeant and becoming a first sergeant, becoming a fire fighter in the Air Force and eventually retiring as a chief master sergeant.

Some of my hobbies include going to the gym, reading books, running, snowboarding, playing Madden, and reading books to children.