Colonel nearing end of 28-year 'great ride'

  • Published
  • By Col. Subrina Linscomb
  • 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  There are less than six weeks remaining until I hand over the flag for the 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, to a new commander. 

A few hours later, I will stand on the David Grant USAF Medical Center stage one last time as I retire after 28 years of service.  The past few months have been filled with many emotions ranging from excitement for the new prospects ahead, joy for all of the wonderful things I have experienced, honor for the privilege of serving our great nation and a bit of sadness to leave the camaraderie of my brothers and sisters in arms. 

When I raised my right hand 28 years ago, I can honestly say I did not do so for the patriotic reasons many of you reading this article may have had when you made the decision to serve.  I did not raise my hand thinking I am about to do something that less than one percent of the population makes the commitment to do.  I certainly did not think I would stay in for 28 years. I had three civilian job offers at the time. So why did I do it?

Bottom line, I met a recruiter during a career fair as I prepared to graduate from physical therapy school. He did his job as a recruiter and sparked my interest. My faculty advisor was a retired Army colonel who had nothing but positive things to say about her military career. The two of them convinced me to sign up.  My thoughts at the time were if I didn't like it, I could leave after my three-year commitment.

In the beginning, my tour as an Air Force officer was simply a job. I concentrated on honing my clinical skills. I learned early on about the wonderful programs the Air Force had available to help me grow as a clinician. I took advantage of the opportunities and decided to stay beyond my initial commitment. Besides, I was a part of a great team that worked really well together, so my "job" was fun.

About three years into my first assignment, Desert Shield/Desert Storm kicked off. I quickly learned that I had more than just a job. I began to understand the purpose behind setting up the Air Transportable Hospital and pretending to care for the wounded.

I felt the anxiety of being vulnerable to deploy as a wife and mother with three young children.  More importantly, I had the opportunity to care for some of our wounded heroes.  I began to embrace my role as a military officer and leader, in addition to being a clinician.  I increased my focus on officership and leadership seeking to learn from the officers and senior enlisted I encountered. 

As I transitioned to my second assignment where I was the officer in charge, I focused on living according to my values and Air Force standards and mentoring my junior staff, concentrating on their clinical skills and military bearing. We grew into a very productive team that bonded like family.

By the end of my second assignment, I had been a part of two successful units and essentially had two extended families.  Both groups were essential to a mission and purpose bigger than any one of us individually and we had fun executing the mission.  That became the foundation of my career - mission execution through teamwork, family and fun.

Now I am preparing to transition from my 11th and final team.  We worked hard and we had fun.  I am honored to have led such a great team. As I reflect over the past 28 years, I can truly say I have had a wonderfully blessed career.  What a feeling it is to have played a small part in executing the mission for the world's greatest Air Force and working with highly trained professionals that are like extended family.  Simply put, it's been a great ride.