Charismatic Airman works behind the scenes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Reggie Manning
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Behind the secure doors of the Command Post, where everything but a biometric iris scan is required to enter, stands a charismatic and amiable Airman 1st Class Amanda Buck, emergency actions controller with the 341st Missile Wing Command Post.

Many stereotypically think that the job is as simple as forwarding phone calls and playing reveille and retreat, but that is only the tip of iceberg when it comes to Buck's responsibilities.
With only a year and a half under her belt, Buck prides herself as a junior controller and the accountabilities she is tasked with.

"I am only an A1C and I accomplish roles that are usually given to members two grades higher," she said. "I take pride in the fact that my leadership entrusts me with such responsibilities that help strengthen my job knowledge and experience."

With 12-hour shifts; three days on day shift, and then three days on night shift; the command post's schedule alone could damper the spirits of a first-term airman. But Buck keeps her contagious smile on display and is well known for raising shop morale.

"She's the ideal troop," said Staff Sgt. Brandy Barnes, training NCOIC with the 341st Missile Wing Command Post. "She has a way of seeing the positive in any situation and passing on her smile."

A normal day in the command post consists of a night-shift change over, where internal briefings are held to pass on information and any pending actions. Buck has to process Status of Reports and Training, provide weather watches, road condition updates, manage delayed reporting statuses, initiate pyramid recalls, localize emergency action messages, and prepare Ops and Intel briefings for Global Strike Command. Her job essentially is to be the eyes and ears for the base commander and supply the base status for headquarters.

Buck was a linchpin to Command Post's stellar performance during the previous base wide inspection and was recognized by the Inspector General team as a superior performer. Her most cherished memory of her first assessment was being tasked to conduct the End Briefing. She states that one of her strongest qualities is public speaking, so she found pleasure in stepping up. She was distinguished for going out of her way during this briefing and providing slides to the IG and group commanders that showed facts of exactly how each group plays a key role in Team Malmstrom's mission. For this display of initiative, she was coined by Lt. Col. David Stephens, 341st Comptroller Squadron commander and Col. H.B. Brual, 341st Missile Wing commander.

When the Algonquin, Ill., native isn't spreading smiles behind the vault door of the Command Post, she enjoys reading, hiking, scrapbooking, traveling and maintaining her physical fitness. In the near future, she would like to complete a marathon so she devotes a lot of her leisure time to training for that.

Buck joined the Air Force alongside her husband, Airman 1st Class Nicolas Buck, 341st Missile Operations Squadron E-Lab technician.

"I joined the Air Force because I wanted a real career," she said. "I wanted to be proud of what I did every day and I feel that I have accomplished that."

The Airman enjoys family time with her husband and two dogs, Macie and Bentley. She and her husband both plan on commissioning and would love to be stationed in Europe. She elaborates on her efforts to learn every aspect of her job and feels that being located in Europe would severely broaden her outlook on the Air Force as well as her career field.
She is currently preparing her package for senior airman below the zone and spends many hours studying the Professional Development Guide for when she goes before the board. Buck feels she is already playing the role of a senior airman or higher and says that her job has molded her to stand out among her peers.

Buck volunteers avidly and sets a personal goal to accomplish at least one event per month. In March, she assisted in the Great Falls Library's book sale. She helped customers locate items and navigate through the book fair and received a recognition letter applauding her efforts. She was described as extremely helpful, enthusiastic and possessed brilliant customer service.

She also volunteered in June at the nationwide Relay for Life event. Buck devoted her time overnight to help raise funds for cancer awareness. She says that anytime she can volunteer for that particular cause she jumps to it since she has lost a close family member to cancer.

"Because of Great Falls' limitations, I enjoy volunteering and finding additional ways to become involved with the community," she said.

Buck was credited for taking over the Command Post for F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., when the base endured a maintenance power outage. Not only did she continue to provide support for Team Malmstrom, but she enlisted her services to send operational reports and F.E. Warren base conditions to headquarters.

With a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, she is only three credit hours short of her Community College of the Air Force degree. She says her experience in teaching has enhanced her ability to perform in her primary duties. While pursuing her degree, she was a high school health teacher for a semester. She says that experience helped her to understand how to work with and train new Airmen.

"She is very energetic and completes tasks quickly," Barnes said. "Her personality, cheerfulness and initiative is a positive influence on her peers."

Buck recently started up a physical training program for her shop. She enjoys motivating people to participate and doesn't hesitate to assist anyone who may be lacking in a certain area.

With the stress of 12-hour shifts occasionally floating through the Command Post, Buck is known for finding any way possible to raise morale. She recently organized a Thanksgiving dinner, and also a chili cook-off event with more than 15 contestants.

"She is the best troop that I have ever worked with," said Barnes. "Even though she is my troop, I look up to her at times, and she helps me and the team out a lot."
As a well rounded worker, Buck tackles anything thrown her way. Juggling workloads, educational goals, physical fitness, family life and numerous additional duties, Buck displays an incredible personality.

So next time a weather watch or a road condition update comes across your desk, just know that isn't all that goes on at the Command Post, and behind that secure door sits an anxious Buck, who is patiently waiting for her next challenge.