For some, the military is a J.O.B. for others it is "life." For the latter individuals, their military career dominates their thoughts, time, and life decisions. Neither is wrong, but it affects how you need to take care of yourself to prevent burnout. This episode is the story of Lt Col Jen Saraceno, an Intel officer who is extremely focused and successful in her career. In her words, she was on "full speed" from her college years and has never stopped until one day she was forced to stop when she landed herself in the hospital from lack of self care over the years. Listen in to hear her story on what she wishes she would have done differently and how to learn from her mistakes to prevent burn out.
The Air Force somehow managed to recruit Jen from Capitol Hill, where she served as a House of Representatives congressional legislative staff member for two Members of Congress during a 7-year career. In 2000, she joined the Air Force for the opportunity to serve and lead. In the past 20 years, Jen has held positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels and served as the Commander of the Air Force’s largest airborne ISR squadron. She is currently assigned to the Joint Staff where she serves as a Special Projects Officer.
Jen is a graduate of the Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and working on her PhD through Air University. She is also a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School’s Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course—where the service builds its tactical experts and instructors. Jen’s tactical and operational level experience includes two volunteer assignments to Korea and 3 deployments to the USCENTCOM AOR. Her strategic-level experience goes beyond her time on the Joint Staff. She served two CSAF’s in a close advisory capacity through the CSAF’s Strategic Studies Group and contributed substantially to benchmark international programs, airpower development, and capstone strategy development.
Jen is currently writing a book on leadership and wellness. She also volunteers her time as a member of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group Women’s Initiative Team where she advocates for removing barriers that impede the retention and advancement of women in the military.
1. Decide to put your oxygen mask on first! It may be a bit cliché these days to say this, but it’s a must do. I learned this the hard way. Find the time to take care of you…and you’ll have greater ability to take care of others!
2. Create a wellness plan. Maybe it’s 10 mins a day hiding in your closet to meditate while the kids play, maybe it’s finding a professional to talk to, maybe you develop a fitness routine…whatever it is, just do something for you.
3. As you do #1 and #2…Spend time getting to know yourself…who you really are, what makes you tick…personally and professionally. Rumble with your own vulnerability. And if you are truly doing the work, you will uncover things that suck…and that’s the messy part. But that’s okay. It’s not easy work, but focusing on yourself and adhering to your wellness plan can help you work through it.
4. Be yourself and don’t try to be anyone else. Be okay--more than okay--with who you are. The world needs you.
Books that inspired Jen as a as she worked through burn-out (more books and podcast links on her blog site)
**Dare to Lead, by Dr. Brene Brown
**Well-Being Ultimatum, by Dr. Suzie Carmack https://www.drsuziecarmack.com
Jen's Blog: www.jensaraceno.com
· Email: info@jensaraceno.com
· LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jensaraceno1