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Rock Solid Warrior: TSgt Carlos Alvarado

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Racheal E. Watson
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Editor’s note: The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the mission.

I’m Tech. Sgt. Carlos Alvarado, the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron medical administration services noncommissioned officer in charge.

My home unit is the 96th Medical Operation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. At home station I'm the office manager for the Family Residency Clinic, which mainly involves schedule management for approximately 50 in-residency providers and booking appointments.

With the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, I oversee coordination of aeromedical evacuations and patient transfers, command support staff duties and security manager duties. I also provide computer support for all medical systems and manage servers that allow real-time access to medical health records, the ability to take and store x-rays and retrieve reports from other facilities and order all medical supplies. I am also I'm charge of the Unit Control Center during activation.

This deployment has given me the good fortune of working with a good team and our coalition partners. My team has challenged me by sharing different viewpoints in various situations, which has improved my problem-solving skills. Even though I attended additional training to familiarize myself with all the medical software used in this facility, I am not an expert on resolving all issues that may arise. My leadership and our communication focal point have provided help through support and guidance..

Professionally, I am striving to promote to the rank of Master Sergeant. I am also aiming to become a Professional Military Education instructor. Likewise as an NCO, I am always trying to figure out different approaches to leadership and improve as a public speaker.

Within the next year I plan on completing my bachelor’s degree in computer science. Shortly thereafter I plan on starting my master’s degree in a related field.

In my spare time I enjoy traveling, drawing, running, attending live music events and spending time with friends. I enjoy running marathons and ultra-marathons. I have completed two 30-mile, two 50-mile and one 100-mile ultra-marathons. I hope to be stationed somewhere in Europe to continue my dream of traveling.

I joined the Air Force after witnessing the 9/11 attack in New York. At the time I was living in Queens, N.Y. After watching an airplane hit the second tower, my heart plummeted to my stomach. I knew then we were being attacked and felt helpless. Instead of continuing the feeling of helplessness, I joined the Air Force to serve my country.