940th Wing Public Affairs
9/13/2013 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- When someone joins the Air Force Reserve, working one weekend a month doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice. But, the one weekend a month turns into working 12 days in a row, 12 times a year when combined with a full-time job.
For reservists with the 50th Intelligence Squadron here, those 12 days are spent behind windowless walls with cipher locked doors and no hint of the weather outside from eight to 12 hours a day.
"The 12 days are spent with our nose to the ground," said Senior Airman David Kuder, a geospatial analyst, who is employed as a full-time intelligence analyst training instructor teaching advanced analysis concepts as a civilian contractor. "If you think about working those consecutive days without a day off, it will drive you crazy."
An idea was conceived by Tech. Sgt. Robert Bower, mission support supervisor, while discussing reservist heritage with fellow IS airmen during their lunch break on a sunny April afternoon earlier this year - an optimal day for a barbecue.
"When I became an Air Reserve Technician here, it was just one continuous streak from Monday until the 12th day," said Bower as he described the schedule he and fellow reservists fulfill as part of their mission.
"For us full-timers, after working 12 days in a row, morale is usually low by that point," said Staff Sgt. Jason P. Hoffman, mission systems supervisor. "So, everybody, including our commander, agreed that it was a great idea, and 12th Day was born."
Since its inception, 12th Day events have taken on several themes, mixing up the traditional barbecue atmosphere, yet staying true to building camaraderie among the squadron members.
"Our favorite one was Mexican-themed," said Hoffman. "Tech. Sgt. Bower pulled up his car and tuned the radio to a Latin station. Everybody was out there dancing. It was a lot of fun."
"People wanted to dance," said Bower. "It was irresistible. You could see feet start to move."
Senior Airman Jillian A. Jaeger, a human resource specialist, describes the 12th Day celebration as an opportunity to be around fellow co-workers, enjoy some downtime and encourage morale within the squadron.
"What it symbolizes to me is the recognition of the hard work that we put in as ARTs and Active Guard and Reserve working Monday through Friday and endure a UTA weekend. Then go back to work another Monday through Friday," said Master Sgt. Mark T. Aldrette, unit education and training manager and NCO in charge of the commander's support staff. "We are in this office and around each other a lot, so it is something that builds on camaraderie established over that time. It's an opportunity for us to sit back, enjoy some good food and each other's company outside of work."
Though the event was conceptualized to bring together the reservists who serve in the 50th IS, it has expanded to include all personnel within the squadron.
"Normally we get a lot of active-duty and civilians passing through and we throw a donation jar out there so we do not exclude anybody from it," said Hoffman. "We're happy to sell people burgers or brats or whatever we are doing. It's been something for everyone to look forward to. This is an hour-and-a-half to two hours out of everybody's schedule where they can come stand around the barbecue and have a good time."
Bower's hope is that the 12th Day concept will take off throughout Air Force Reserve Command and become part of the culture for future reserve squadrons. His NCOIC shares the same vision.
"AFRC wide, it would be a good reminder that not only are we co-workers, but people we work with a lot," said Aldrette. "If you think about it, the people who are here full time and work the UTA are with each other at least 25 days out of the month."
With the demand placed on a reservist's schedule and the amount of time spent with fellow airmen, they become an extension of their family.
"You hear the term 'Air Force family' thrown around," said Bower. "Families eat together."
The 50th IS, a total force integrated unit comprised of civilian, active duty and reservists, supports two of five Distributed Ground Stations located throughout the world that make up the Distributed Common Ground System weapons system. Each DGS is comprised of intel analysts and communications specialists who process multiple forms of intelligence gathered from manned and unmanned reconnaissance platforms such as the U-2 Dragonlady and the RQ-4Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft.
To learn more about this event and other activities with the 940th Wing, visit our social media channels by clicking here or visit our website at www.940wg.afrc.mil.
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