ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Salvador Rodriguez, the group training manager assigned to the 36th Medical Group, was recognized as the 36th Wing’s Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 13, 2023.
The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersen’s mission, vision and priorities.
As the group training manager, Rodriguez plans, processes and controls the education, competency and development of 207 medical group personnel. He monitors and coordinates the upgrade training for 17 Air Force Specialty Codes and manages the formal training program by coordinating course allocations for 325 Air Education Training Command offerings. As a bioenvironmental technician, Rodriguez’s duties include overseeing the Joint Region Marianas Radiological Safety Program, a responsibility that involves authorizing $7 million of material transfers annually and investigating any risks for the Indo-Pacific Command mission.
“My favorite thing about being a UTM is helping people,” said Rodriguez.
During the 36 MDG’s Joint Commission and Unit Effectiveness Inspections, Rodriguez oversaw the competency verification process for 207 medics, scrutinizing more than 11,200 training items, securing zero human resource write-ups and the group’s reaccreditation for 7,500 beneficiaries. Additionally, he provided more than 1,860 hours of professional development training to 160 medical group newcomers, volunteers and shadows, as well as Air National Guard upgrade trainees and U.S. Navy medics. This paved the way for a 22% increase in dental appointments, a 200% increase in the ANG’s medic capabilities, and for seven personnel to cross-train into the Air Force Medical Services. Finally, Rodriguez partnered with Naval Hospital Guam to develop a scheduling integration system expanding the Life Support, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Emergency Medical Technician recertification course offered to 924 Air Force and Navy first responders.
“It’s important to set a good example so those around me can be motivated and want to achieve something greater,” said Rodriguez.
The term Linebacker is rooted deep within Team Andersen’s history. Operation Linebacker II took place on Dec. 18, 1972, and was the largest number of heavy bomber strikes launched by the U.S. Air Force since the end of World War II. During the operation, B-52s from Andersen flew round-the-clock bombing missions over North Vietnam to destroy major targets in Hanoi and Haiphong in an effort to bring the Democratic Republic of Vietnam back to negotiations.
The recipient will have the opportunity to sign a “Linebacker” football jersey that will be displayed in the Wing Headquarters building.
Way to go, Rodriguez!