Team Little Rock Member Shows Core Values at Work and Home

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit
  • 19th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Situations and circumstances are the building blocks of one's personality and outlook on life. Whether you have had positive experiences and opportunities that have placed you on the easy road to success or have learned lessons and triumphed over mistakes or difficult obstacles, these life experiences help define who you are and help build strength to endure life's challenges.

Master Sgt. William Janczewski II, Air Force Times Airman of the Year, is no stranger to these ups and downs. He has experienced the best and worst of times. Instead of focusing on the negative, however, he has used his experiences to build stronger bonds with his friends, co-workers and family and has become a well-rounded Airman.

Janczewski, the assistant chief of health and safety for the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron, was recognized as the Airman of the Year for his brave and quick decision-making skills during a potentially devastating fire that occurred October 2012 while deployed to Camp John Pratt, Afghanistan. He risked his life to save valuable Air Force assets and prevented several fellow Airmen from serious injury or worse.

From the time he was 14 years old, Janczewski said he wanted to follow in his family's footsteps and become a firefighter. His father and uncle both served as role models for him during his youth, encouraging him to become a firefighter.

"Having grown up in that environment, it was pretty much the only thing I learned how to do really well. At very young age I knew this was what I wanted to do," said Janczewski, "I love the public service aspect of being a firefighter. Knowing you are able to go out and help somebody solve their problems gives you the satisfaction that you have accomplished something or changed somebody's life."

When Janczewski found out that he could pursue his firefighting passion in the Air Force, he was more than happy to join. The differences between civilian firefighting and military firefighting, however, only bolstered his love for firefighting.

"There are a lot of similarities," said Janczewski. "However, doing it for the Air Force, I have learned more structure. Being in a professional environment and being considered a professional, you are raised to a higher standard and there are a lot more rules to follow."

Family life can be hard to balance in the military, especially with a demanding job such as Janczewski's. His long hours at work mean less time to spend with his wife and two sons. Although he has spent a great deal of time at work, he manages to get his family time in at every available opportunity. His experience as a firefighter has helped him grow as a military member, volunteer, father and well-rounded Airman.

Being a father of two boys, Eric and Ethan, Janczewski has learned to balance his work load with his family life as best as he can. Between family bicycle outings and quiet family time at home, he has kept a positive family lifestyle and learned to appreciate every moment he spends with his family. Although he and his family have a happy and healthy lifestyle now, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was presented to the family with the birth of his second son, Ethan.

Ethan was born with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. At only 7 days old, he had his first open heart surgery at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. For the first four months of Ethan's life, he was in a chemically induced coma, in and out of surgery and at times the Janczewskis thought the nightmare would never end. Throughout the months of Ethan's hospitalization, Janczewski and his wife never left Ethan's side.

"My wife never left the hospital," said Janczewski. "She stayed and slept at the hospital for four months. I would travel back and forth from Cabot every day to Children's after dropping our other son, Eric, off at daycare. It was a 50-mile round trip every day."

After five long months of waiting, Ethan was finally awake and ready to go home with his family. The laundry list of things to do to build Ethan's strength was nothing compared to what the family had gone through in order to bring their youngest family member home. Although Janczewski had many long nights the first five months of Ethan's life, he credits his leadership and chain of command for supporting him and giving him the time he needed to be by his son's side.

"I can't speak enough to my chain of command during this timeframe," said Janczewski.
"I'm not sure if I had gone to a different base, I would have gotten that same kind of support."

With the support of co-workers and family members during their hardest times, the Janczewskis developed a special bond with their Air Force family. Through the initial hospitalization and three open heart surgeries, the family has had the support of the fire station and leadership. In October 2012, after being placed on the heart transplant waiting list in 2010, Ethan, who is healthy and happy now, was taken off the list after he showed significant signs of improvement after being given an alternate form of treatment.

Janczewski has found his niche in life as a firefighter and has overcome obstacles that many people do not endure in their lifetime. Through these experiences, he developed a passion for contributing to programs such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mended Hearts. His dedication to family and work, along with his volunteer initiatives, has made Janczewski who he is today.