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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - Leadership and development are integral
to Master Sgt. Linda Schwartzlow's personality and lifestyle.
Recognized as First Sergeant of the Year for 2014 by the Air
National Guard, Schwartzlow says she was attracted to the military
because of the opportunities available to help people develop to
their fullest potential.
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Master Sgt. Linda Schwartzlow holds the
guidon in formation with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al
Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, March 8, 2013. Schwartzlow is
the Air National Guard 2014 Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer)
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"I really like the distinct black-and-white, right and
wrong, rules and regulations of the military," she said. "It
matches my personality."
Before she joined, the
concept of military service was familiar to Schwartzlow, as her father also served in
the Air Force as a radio operator in the late 1950s.
"He served honorably for over three years and met my mom
while he was stationed in England," she said.
"My mom was born during World War II, but she was so
young that she didn't remember a lot of it. During the war,
her family was separated, and her tenacity to overcome
obstacles stayed with her."
Overcoming challenges is
what Schwartzlow does as a first sergeant, noted for her
talent for helping Airmen, guiding them to make good
decisions, and instilling enough discipline to make them
turn them around. She has provided expert counseling and
life-saving intervention to many members, connecting them to
support resources - from legal to financial - to help them
during times of need.
"The Guard is a family, which
might sound trite, but it's true," she said. "You become
comfortable with the people you work with, but you can't let
that make you complacent. You need to make sure you don't
take people for granted. On the flipside, it's wonderful
that we have those deep bonds - that we know people enough
that we can anticipate how they will behave or perform in a
certain situation."
Schwartzlow is married to a
retired Guard member, Ken, and is the mother of two grown
daughters. She also has two grandsons, who bring her much
joy. "We spoil them on the weekends, and then give them
back."
During hard times, Schwartzlow thinks about
her deceased mom, and her mom's challenges. "As you can
imagine, it was very difficult for her and her family," she
explained. "She went in one direction, her brothers went
another, and her dad left to serve in the war in Africa and
Italy."
For inspiration, she thinks of her mom's
later years.
"My mom had emphysema and was on a lung
transplant recipient waiting list for about five years.
Finally, she received the gift of a new lung and enjoyed
life to the fullest for four more years. She remained
positive throughout the whole ordeal; she never felt sorry
for herself," said Schwartzlow. "That was her spirit - very
positive and enduring, despite significant obstacles."
Schwartzlow has more than earned her stripes, with three
deployments as a first sergeant, the last being an 180-day
deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base with the 727th
Expeditionary Air Control Squadron.
"A deployment is
like a marathon," she said. "You have to pace yourself to
get through it. When you deploy with your unit, you get to
see our Airmen's true characters; you have the privilege to
see individuals mature and grow."
The Schwartzlows
have five deployments between them. "He completely
understands and supports my military career; he has been an
incredible friend and partner to me."
Positive energy
and empathy are second nature to Schwartzlow, so much that
she is pursuing a master's degree in mental health
counseling from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A
well-educated first sergeant, she also holds a bachelor's
degree in business administration from Viterbo, as well as
an associate's degree in applied science and a professional
manager certificate, both from the Community College of the
Air Force.
Physical fitness is also a lifestyle for
Schwartzlow, who has attained a 100 percent score on her
physical fitness test for several years. She maintains her
fitness through a healthy lifestyle - she plays team
volleyball and she runs. While deployed to Al Dhafra AB, she
participated in thirteen 5K or 10K races, as well as the
Army 10-miler.
"When I do a race, I try to make sure
the registration money goes to a charitable cause, " she
said. "It's great reason to sign up and makes it that much
more worthwhile."
If Schwartzlow had the chance to
have dinner with anyone in the world, past or present, she
would dine with her mom.
"I'd love to have one more
chance to sit down and chat with her, to spend time with her
for just a few more minutes. Life is so precious, and that's
what I've learned by helping others. We need to maximize
every moment we can."
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Hillier
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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