SEAC engages with Golden Bears

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited and spoke with Golden Bears Oct. 20 and 21 at Travis Air Force Base. Battaglia toured Travis on the second and third day of his West Coast command visit.

The SEAC serves as the principal advisor to the CJCS and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development of enlisted personnel.

The purpose of Battaglia's visit was to engage with service members who work day and night on Travis and observe the interactions among the installation, community and Veterans Administration. He met with Airmen from the 60th Security Forces Squadron, 621st Contingency Response Wing, David Grant USAF Medical Center, 60th Maintenance Group and other agencies across Travis.

"While on my visit here, I saw some of the best practices that Travis has to offer, such as (Transition Assistance Program), CRW and the hyperbaric chamber at DGMC to name a few," Battaglia said. "The CRW provided me an optic that Airmen are always ready for inspection as they're always on the verge of having to deploy to complete a mission, which does not leave any room for complacency. It is something that you do not see regularly."

Before departing Travis, the SEAC held an all-call that emphasized the importance of transition and resiliency.

"As leaders, we have trained, molded, developed, educated and prepared service members to do our nation's bidding," Battaglia said. "Transitioning is a family affair. It is inevitable for everyone, whether it is four years or four decades. We have an obligation to help our veterans."

Chief Master Sgt. Alan Boling, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, echoed the SEAC's sentiments of transitioning Airmen with regard to the Air Force perspective on bridging the basics vice just going back to the basics.

"On top of all the transitioning programs supporting the men and women who are taking the next step in their lives, Airmen can look forward to some exciting changes in the Air Force," Boling said. "They are going to have more opportunities to have a greater impact on their work centers and in their commands, with new ideas and innovation we'll be able to succeed with less resources. We are looking for our Airmen to bridge the gap between the trusted principles of the past with the new technology we have available today."

The SEAC said that along with transitioning comes uncertainty, which creates stressors that affect all service members. Resiliency plays a vital role in combating those stressors.

"Resiliency is all about readiness," Battaglia said. "The better we are prepared to cope with adversity, the better we are at maneuvering and navigating through our challenges in life."

The SEAC's final words of advice were to start planning for the next chapter in life after service.

"Earlier is better," he said. "Whenever the transition back into civilian life comes, you will be better prepared to reintegrate, it doesn't matter the length of service, just don't think too late about it."