Dueling duo teaches TLR Airmen resilience through martial arts

Photo By Airman 1st Class Kevin Sommer Giron | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Beyer, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, teaches Airmen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Monday—Thursday at the Fitness Center on Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Beyer has trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for seven years and has acquired a purple belt in the martial art. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Sommer Giron)

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE , AR, UNITED STATES
05.08.2017
Story by Airman 1st Class Kevin Sommer Giron
19th Airlift Wing


“Imagine running around in a storm, not knowing what to do or what’s going on,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Beyer, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. “For some people, that’s what starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training might feel like, but if you trust in your instructors and your peers, you’ll soon learn how to take cover from the storm.”

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, is a submission-based martial art focused on groundwork and grappling. While it can be challenging, it can also lead to an overwhelming sense of confidence and physical ability.

Beyer and his wife Letia Eclavea, University of Maryland University College student, share a passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and host free training lessons Monday through Thursday at the Fitness Center on Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Beyer has trained in BJJ for seven years, acquiring a purple belt in the martial art. His technique is methodic and his instruction is as calm as his persona.

However growing up in Hawaii, he often found himself grappling with unwanted confrontation.

“I fought a lot when I was younger,” Beyer said. “I was bullied, and I always stepped in for others who were too. I won and lost fights until I got to a point where I needed to learn how to defend myself properly.”

Beyer eventually joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. While living in the dormitories, he attended a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class where he not only fell in love with the craft, but also with a charismatic girl from Guam.

Eclavea, a vibrant Guamanian gold medalist, began her passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a bucket list item. Initially thinking she would try it once or twice, the humbling experience captivated her from the start.

“It gave me a sense of humility,” Eclavea said. “I walked in my first day thinking I was better than people who had been doing it for way longer. But every single time someone beat me, I was humbled.”

Now a 16-time gold medalist who has competed in various tournaments and world trials, Enclavea dedicates her time to train others with her equally committed husband.

“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches technique over strength and power,” Beyer said. “It teaches that even if you are a small guy, you can beat a bigger opponent. It’s almost like a maze. Sometimes you’ll run into a dead end, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. There is always another way around.”

They also teach life skills their students can apply both on and off the mat. The duo teaches others how to control their anger, not to take things personally and to let life take its course while having a positive attitude.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu stimulates the mind, body and spirit while creating social bonds which strengthen the four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness. CAF is a program built to sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force community through mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness.

“It definitely helps you become more resilient,” Beyer said. “You get beat up sometimes, but you just have to keep coming back. A lot of people develop a drive, especially service members who are always striving to get to the next rank or complete training. It’s a really good challenge for those who are driven in their military career."

Beyer and Eclavea instruct and train as a team, providing an uplifting atmosphere filled with music and hands on instruction.

“Our main purpose for the class is to create a family environment and to open up a program where people can have an outlet to relieve stress, have fun and get them out of their dorms,” Eclavea said.

Classes are free and available to everyone from 6 -- 7:30 p.m., Monday—Thursday in the Fitness Center racquetball room.

Fort Lee emergency medic always on point

Photo By Terrance Bell | Fort Lee firefighter and paramedic Stephen Steele, Jr., stands by an ambulance he works on from fire station 2 and assists patients with medical care during transport to a medical facility.

UNITED STATES
05.11.2017
Story by Lesley Atkinson
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs
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FORT LEE, Va. (May 11, 2017) -- Fellow workers describe fifth-generation firefighter Stephen Steele Jr. as “one of the best emergency medics at Fort Lee.”

Setting aside the hard-to-overlook fact that he has been in the business since age 12, Steele’s professional qualifications speak for themselves. He is a nationally registered paramedic with certifications in nine associated specialties that qualify him as an instructor and emergency medical technician. He is a member of the HAZMAT team and serves as the supply coordinator for the department.

“Emergency response is in my blood,” said the seven-year post employee assigned to Fire Station 2. “I started as a youth volunteer working with my brother and father at a station back home in Long Island, N.Y. As soon as I turned 18, I was hired on as a regular firefighter and have been doing that ever since.”


Work associates also describe Steele as a “quiet professional” who doesn’t always get recognized for his accomplishments because he avoids the limelight. That aspect of his character became evident as he talked about his career and often opted for precise “yes ma’am” responses to probing questions. He said he views such discussions as bragging and chooses to avoid them.

Steele’s transition from New York to Virginia was a cost of living decision. He first settled down in Smithfield and took a job with the Newport News fire department. A few years later, he was hired by the Fort Lee Fire Department.

On duty, Steele works a 48-hour shifts where he alternates between a fire truck and ambulance. Off duty, he spends time with his wife and two children, while maintaining a lawn care business.

One of the aspects he likes most about his emergency response job is being able to interact with other jurisdictions within the community.

“We get many different calls on the emergency service and fireside. It is exciting,” he said. “We sometimes get requests off-post daily. Just recently, we went to Colonial Heights for a serious medical emergency and we ended up transporting the patient for them.”



At Fort Lee, Steele is responsible for the ambulances on post and ensures they are fully stocked and ready to serve the population. During a crisis, he’s in charge of the ambulance and assesses and initiates appropriate medical care and selects the appropriate receiving facility within the local community. Steele also plans EMS training for the unit monthly.

Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Steckel, Training Division Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services, said Steele is a hard worker who is dedicated to mission success.


“No matter the task is day or night, he completes the duty giving more than what you ask for,” he said. “He is probably the best medic in the organization. He leads, instructs and mentors new medics. I have responded to many calls with Stephen.

“With a life hanging in the balance and the scene sometimes in chaos,” he continued, “Stephen’s professional, confident attitude brings calm to the chaos and reflects on everyone. This aids in scene management and can even save a life.”

Steckel also praised Steele for his commitment to the team, and ever-present smile on his face and a willingness to make time for others. The tight-knit group in the department often compares their co-workers to a family.

Steele said he has no plans of leaving and will continue carrying on his family legacy. He especially enjoys serving veterans.

“It‘s a great feeling,” he said. “They do so much for our country. They deserve the best care possible.”

This is the last installment of a Traveller story series focusing on individuals who work “behind the scenes” at Fort Lee shopping, dining, and recreational facilities.

DOD names CPEN 2016 Fire Department of the Year

Photo By Cpl. Brian Bekkala | Firefighters from the Camp Pendleton Fire Department pack the firetruck up after participating in Wildland Fire Fighting Exercise 2016, near Pulgas Lake on Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 5, 2016. Wildland Firefighting Exercise 2016 is part of an annual training exercise to simulate the firefighting efforts by aviation and ground assets from the Navy, Marine Corps, San Diego County and CAL Fire.  This event is aimed at bringing awareness to this joint capability while also exercising the pilots and operators who conduct firefighting missions.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Bekkala/MCIWEST-MCB CamPen Combat Camera/Released)

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2017

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Lynn Kinney 

Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton  

The Camp Pendleton’s Fire Emergency Services Department was recently recognized as 2016’s Department of Defense Fire Department of the Year in a message released by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, May 17, 2017.

This is the second time the department was recognized as one of the largest in the DOD and was responsible for more than 3,700 emergency responses, 156 of those being wildland fires, alone. Additionally, the staffs have been working with fire departments in the surrounding communities to maximizing the use of assets and training that lead to the 373 mutual-aid assistance calls supported outside the installation.

Chief Thomas C. Thompson, Camp Pendleton’s fire chief, credits the unit’s success to the individual firefighters and the process improvement they have been doing in the past five years.

“I am surrounded by very cool operators that get to practice their craft,” said Thompson, who is humbled by the recent recognition. “It is a testament to what they do, how they do it and the impact it has to the community.”

Camp Pendleton’s training ground support various tenants, most notably the I Marine Expeditionary Force, a 28 thousand person Marine Air – Ground Task Force, with ranges and wildland spanning over 125,000 acres. 

In addition to the department being recognized, Assistant Chief Jeff Cunliff-Owen was selected as the Fire Officer of the Year for his work as the wildland coordinator. 

The programs he leads in maintenance and suppression training throughout the year ensure each individual firefighter is getting the education and accreditation necessary to support the installation.

“They are the ones that make us look good,” said Cunliff-Owen, a 21 year-firefighter, of the firefighters and captains in the department. “We get it done here because of them. I’m just steering the bus.”

Both career firemen agree on the importance of these individuals to the team’s success, but more than anything wants to do good work. 

“We can see the impact we make every day, said Thompson. “Not every job is like that, and get satisfaction by helping our community and serving our warfighters and families.”