SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., Nov. 7, 2016 — Airmen are tasked with serving their country with the utmost respect and honor upon swearing into the U.S. Air Force, whether joining at age 17, or before the cutoff point of age 39.
When Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Caraglio chose to enlist at age 32, he was able to use his diverse work experience and the skills he’d gained while working more than 20 different jobs to assist his fellow airmen during basic military training. Now, he helps airmen as a mental health technician with the 20th Medical Operations Squadron here.
“Having worked career fields ranging from factory lines to retail management, I am capable of applying my skills to assist anyone in need,” Caraglio said. “I worked in factory lines as the only English speaker and grappled up the sides of homes with 90 pounds of gear as a roofer.”
He said his drive to help people be their best developed when he was young.
“My dad left pretty early,” Caraglio said. “I was in sixth grade, about 12. It was just my mom in the house and as the big brother, I had to put my childhood on hold just a little bit to take care of my younger siblings.”
Coming from what he describes as “absolutely nothing,” was rough, he said.
He dedicated himself to taking care of his family and anyone else he met along his journey.
“I did those 20 odd jobs to help provide for my wife and daughter, but in the end it was just taking away from my time with them,” Caraglio said.
Short-term Sacrifice, Long-term Gain
He said honor was the biggest driver behind his decision to join the Air Force, admitting he felt he would regret his decision later in life if he did not serve while he was eligible.
“Basic training was … probably one of the hardest things mentally,” Caraglio said. “I had to leave my family behind temporarily to help provide for them.”
Utilizing his refined people skills and attentive mindset, he helped build cohesion in his struggling flight throughout BMT.
“I used to focus on the little things in basic training,” Caraglio said. “When we were told to get on the wall, everybody would rush to the wall which was great, but I would go help and get the slower ones on the wall first.”
While in BMT, Caraglio served as dorm chief and helped not only his flight, but also his brother and sister flights.
“I helped lower-week dorm chiefs report their flights for accountability,” Caraglio said. “It was unheard of for a BMT trainee to report a flight and say ‘Sir, Trainee Caraglio reports as ordered, permission to assist wingman in accountability?’”
Upon graduation, Caraglio applied his newly acquired Air Force knowledge to his innate care for others to make an impact on his new family here.
“I can take vital signs, schedule patients and follow-up appointments for my wingmen,” Caraglio said. “I’m not trying to teach all my skills to people, I’m just here to help so you can do your job and succeed.”
Respect
While rank plays a huge role in the military no matter the career field, it is all dependent on how you shine light on that rank.
“I’m just happy that I’m able to serve my country and that I made the enlistment window,” Caraglio said. “That is more important than having a few more stripes on my shoulders.”
“Given my age, the idea of rank has never brought fear to me, even in basic,” Caraglio said. “As long as I was respectful, being able to talk to someone as an equal has been awesome.”
His positive outlook has been noticed by those around him, although he has been on station for less than half a year.
“He is a very hard worker and is dedicated to what he does,” said Staff Sgt. Natalia Yarbrough, 20th Medical Operations Squadron mental health noncommissioned officer in charge. “He is always first to jump up and ask to assist.”
Whether it be military or civilian, everyone chooses a path in life. One airman’s years of experience have helped mold the lives of those he has come in contact with.
In his final remarks, Caraglio leaves everyone with a few small words of wisdom: “Live life and love living it; don’t be scared of anything.”
