GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - Members of the National Guard face many challenges when it comes to deployment. The transition from full-time civilian to full-time service member brings an individual from their day-to-day job in a particular skill set and drops them into their military occupation with the expectation they will perform well.
Air Force Senior Airman Albert Leyvas, a liquid fuels apprentice with the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and member of the North Carolina Air National Guard for two years, rose to the challenge when he came here on his first overseas deployment.
"His enthusiasm has enabled me to take second chair to our fueling operations," said Air Force Master Sgt. James Butts, who oversees the liquid fuels section. "Within two weeks of his arrival, he could accurately control the dispersion of [more than $200,000] worth of fuel per month to equipment valued at approximately $2.4 million."
Butts explained that in only two weeks, Leyvas demonstrated the ability to learn and understand the importance of the mission here.
"I was confident in my abilities to hold the shop up on my own, and also raise the standard," said Leyvas, who is a mail carrier in Charlotte, N.C.
Daily, Leyvas picks up and delivers about 2,000 gallons of fuel to maintain the functional levels of the fuel bladders, as well as maintaining several 55-gallon drums that support the boilers keeping the latrines and showers functional.
"I perform daily inspections on valves, fuel hoses and the fuel bladders to make sure there are no leaks," he said. "I don't feel like I'm doing anything different; I'm just doing a job."
During commissions, it's Leyvas who ensures power is flowing to the guard shacks and court rooms.
"He has taken the initiative to plan and schedule fueling to the assets supporting the commissions," said Butts. "Those field assets provide the necessary means of maintaining comfortable environments for the guards, and more importantly, to ensure continued power to the courts in the event of a power failure."
In addition to managing fuels and tending to the duties of his own job, Leyvas makes an effort to volunteer for additional projects regularly.
"New projects at the Expeditionary Legal Complex require manpower that is not always available," explained Butts. "Leyvas is one of the first to volunteer his time."
"If I have time on my hands, I don't want to sit around," said Leyvas. "I'm a firm believer in working for what you have."