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Focus on the Force: Staff Sgt. Campos Rivera

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Hansen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Staff Sgt. Armando Campos Rivera, the 341st Missile Operations Squadron nuclear certified equipment monitor, demonstrates on a daily basis the importance of the Air Force's three core values - integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

His dedication to excellence in all we do got him hand-picked by leadership for his current job as the Nuclear Certified Equipment monitor for Air Force Global Strike Command's 341st Missile Wing.

"He came out of another shop where he dealt with this kind of equipment a lot," said 1st Lt. Jared Hostetler, 341st MOS resources flight commander. "Because of his familiarity with the equipment, it made the most sense to choose him for this position. He's very detail oriented, which also made him the right choice for this."

As NCE monitor, he makes sure all equipment matches the Master Nuclear Certification List, which is the sole authority for determining certification status of Nuclear Certified Equipment. Sergeant Campos Rivera is constantly looking for updates and implementing them into the MNCL. If a piece of equipment doesn't meet the certification requirements identified in the MNCL, he removes it from operation.

All the equipment Sergeant Campos Rivera monitors works hand-in-hand with the assets of the base. Because of this, he is expected to maintain superior integrity, and is under constant pressure to perform his duties to the utmost of his ability.

Two weeks ago, the pressure was on more than ever for him. His section underwent a Special Interest Item 10-2 inspection that evaluated his MNCL book, NCE binder and a percentage of the gear he monitors. Because of the inspection, Sergeant Campos Rivera worked 12 to 16 hour days at work, which is a prime example of the many ways he puts service before self.

"It was stressful, but I just concentrated on what I was doing," he said. "I stayed positive and did my job."

After being evaluated, Sergeant Campos Rivera's section came out victorious making them the first and only section in all of Air Force Global Strike Command to pass.

"A lot of the other units were failing because they didn't have a guy like him that was making sure all the T's were crossed, and all of the I's were dotted," Lieutenant Hostetler said.

When Sergeant Campos Rivera isn't busy ensuring Malmstrom's assets are handled with quality equipment, he's enjoying time at home with his wife, Arisdelis, and two girls Amanda, 4, and Andrea, 18 months.

"Family is all we have here, so we try to do everything together," he said. "Some people say they need time to themselves, but if I don't get time to myself it doesn't matter; I have my family."

Whether he's certifying equipment at work or being a dedicated father of two at home, Sergeant Campos Rivera is constantly setting a good example for those around him.