An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 9, 2016

Arizona Air Guard member raises her kids and mentors Airmen

By Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin 161st Air Refueling Wing

PHOENIX - Serving in the Air National Guard means something different to everyone. For some, it adds meaning to life. To others, it is a source of honor. For one sheet metal fabrication mechanic assigned to the 161st Air Refueling Wing here, serving provides a sense of purpose outside of normal daily activities.

"Being a stay-at-home mom is a huge responsibility and it greatly contributes to our family, but serving in the Guard gives me another way to contribute - not just to my family, but the nation as well," said Tech. Sgt. Billiesue Deegan.

Prior to joining the 161st, Deegan served on active duty with the U.S. Army. She said when they decided to move to from Georgia to Arizona for her husband's job, she looked to the Air Guard.

"Serving in the military was something I wasn't willing to give up," she said. "It is very important for me to stay in the military. It is something I want in my life. I still serve, but just not on a daily basis."

Deegan said military service is something she also wants in her children's lives, especially since it is a family tradition. Her husband, 1st Lt. Jeremiah Deegan, is also a member of the wing, and her father and sister both served in the military as well.

She said her father's military service was influential in his life and therefore in hers. His service gave him a strong appreciation for attention to detail and instilled that in her as a young child.

"As a military member, I appreciate my father's lessons so much more - high standards and attention to detail are second nature to me," said Deegan. "I now find myself holding pretty high standards for my boys. I'd like for them to have more self-discipline and have great attention to detail. I would love for them to have the privilege to serve their country. While it is ultimately their choice, I hope they have the chance."

Attention to detail is one of many skills she passes down to her kids. As a sheet metal expert, Deegan imparts military-learned technical skills as well.

"I build a lot of stuff at home," she said. "We have a lot of rabbits and I build all of their cages and feeders. The military has given me the knowledge, skills and experience to do a lot of the things I do around the house and my boys see that."

As a mother, Deegan said she employs family-learned skills in her military career.

Master Sgt. Richard Rodriquez, aircraft structural maintenance supervisor, said, as the only woman, Deegan adds a special dynamic to the fabrication section - offering views from a woman's, and a mother's, perspective. He said she draws from life experience, and that the Airmen find her approachable and understanding. He said her motherly traits are in full-force when it comes to safeguarding the Airmen in her shop.

"Safety is of her utmost concern, and protecting her Airmen comes first," said Rodriquez. "She is watchful of the younger Airmen - making sure they keep the highest level of readiness to meet the mission."

He said Deegan expects professionalism and has the ability to de-escalate situations. She has a way of counseling Airmen that makes them want to prepare for the future, be better members of the team and improve their performance.

"Being a [non-commissioned officer], often means getting people to do things they might not want to do. I have that job at home too," said Deegan. "With my kids, I have to find ways to get them to do what needs to be done the way I want them to do it - without being mean or demanding. I've also learned through my kids that you have to approach people differently. If you approach someone the wrong way it can put them off. At home I use the word 'help' a lot; such as, 'can you help me'. I find that they [kids and Airmen] respond a lot better to that."

She said if her kids, and her Airmen, feel they are making a personal contribution, consider what they are doing is important, and feel like they are playing an important part, the tasks are completed more effectively.

"Sometimes they just need to feel they are playing a big role," she said with a smile.

 

 

Related Articles
Swedish Army Lt. Col. Fredrik Mansson, the chief of operations for the Swedish 1st Division Headquarters, speaks with an officer of the New York National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division during the division’s Warfighter exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2025. Mansson and other Swedish leaders were visiting the exercise to learn from the New York Guardsmen. From Sept. 16-23, 2025, New York National Guard operations experts will be in Sweden helping Mansson and their other Swedish counterparts conduct their first-ever division-level command post exercise.
New York Guard to Help Sweden With Division-Level Command Post Exercise
By Eric Durr, | Sept. 5, 2025
LATHAM, New York - Six New York Army National Guard officers and an Air Guard master sergeant are heading to Sweden to help the Swedish Army’s 1st Division conduct its first-ever division staff command post exercise.Before...

A Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker refuels several Royal Thai Air Force F-16’s during an air refueling mission, while training the RTAF pilots how to perform in-air-refueling during Enduring Partners on Aug. 20, 2025 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Enduring Partners is an exchange that builds joint readiness by integrating U.S. and Thai forces in mission areas including ground-controlled interception, cyber, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, tactical air control party, and space.
Utah Air Guard Strengthens Regional Partnerships at Enduring Partners 2025
By Master Sgt. Nicholas Perez, | Sept. 5, 2025
KORAT AIR BASE, Thailand — The Utah Air National Guard played a crucial role in Enduring Partners 2025, a multinational exchange designed to bolster readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Thai forces.Now in its third...

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, coins U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jennifer Green, commander of the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, in Zagan, Poland, May 23, 2025. Deployed to Poland in October 2024, Soldiers of the 110th CSSB led a multi-component task force responsible for sustaining the continuous flow of critical supplies to NATO allies and partners across eight Eastern European countries.
Massachusetts Guard Soldiers Return From NATO Support Mission in Poland
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | Sept. 5, 2025
ZAGAN, Poland - Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 1060th Transportation Company have returned from a deployment to Poland, where they played a critical role in supporting U.S. military logistics and NATO...