100th LRS family runs cohesive support system

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/17/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- 

Every commander needs a good support system. The 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, Maj. Michael Boswell has a valuable team at his side.

Overseeing the team is Master Sgt. Vivian Lewis, 100th LRS commander's support staff section chief from Vancouver, Washington.

"Basically, I oversee the commander's support staff programs that the 100th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section has delegated down to the units. These include programs such as enlisted performance reports and decorations," Lewis explained.

Lewis is not alone tracking more than 300 personnel in the squadron. She is assisted by a team of Airmen and civilians including Senior Airman Alexis Musumeci, 100th LRS commander's executive from Oregon, Wisconsin.

"As well as organizing squadron events, my main job is tracking suspenses and awards, making sure they arrive on time to the group level," Musumeci explained.

The commander's support staff role is vital in ensuring each Airman has their EPR turned in and added to their records on time. To an Airman, this record of what they have done in the past year is critical to their career. It's used in decorations and awards and, during a permanent change of station it gives the new base a snapshot of what their Airman has accomplished at their previous base.

This team not only ensures EPRs are taken care of, but they are responsible for a great many things, including all the administration items that need to be done on behalf of the commander.

"Task management was a big challenge for me -- prioritizing things and making sure what needs to get done is getting done -- that was hard because of my previous organization skills. This job has really helped me develop those skills," Musumeci explained.

Musumeci had to learn fast but she had a team to help her grow as an Airman in her new role.

For the team, the workflow keeps them busy but they enjoy their job and meeting the people in the squadron.

New members arriving to RAF Mildenhall are assigned a sponsor to welcome them and make sure they're taken care of and get settled.

"My main responsibility is the fitness program, but I also take care of in processing. A military member sponsors someone coming to Mildenhall to help them get a place and assist them with what needs to be done," said Kimberly Roark, 100th LRS secretary from San Antonio. "I enjoy helping, meeting and assisting people."

Tech. Sgt. Michael Graydon, 100th LRS NCO in charge of customer support from Belvidere, Illinois, also enjoys this aspect of the work.

"I came from the MPS, (which means) you really didn't have a chance to know anybody because you took care of the whole base populous," Graydon reflected. "As a squadron, you have an opportunity to know the people by first name or last name basis and learn a little bit about their background -- as a person."

The support staff works in an office near to the commanders'. A commander needs a reliable commander's support staff to ensure he meets his deadlines. Lewis said working with her commander is the thing she enjoys most and it keeps her on her toes.

"Keeping up with him, that's the challenge," Lewis laughed. "He's very spontaneous."

A commander needs to have a good working relationship with his team.

"(Maj.) Boswell, oh man, he is very delightful to work with. He's very personable and understanding, and I love that in a leader. He's somebody that you can go to and talk to about anything. On a personal level, you can disregard rank in a closed door conversation and he'll give you his knowledge and his insight without all the military jargon," Lewis reflected.