Postmaster serving our community and country

Government worker? I’ll say! Chris Bisdnack came to Maricopa in May 2004 to become the Postmaster of the United States Post Office branch in town. But when Bisdnack’s day serving our community at the post office ends, oftentimes it coincides with the commencement of his service to our country as a member of the United States Air Force Reserves.

Bisdnack initially enlisted in the Air Force in 1991 and served on active duty until November 1995. “I was totally done,” Bisdnack said of the completion of his commitment almost 10 years ago. “Then six months after getting out, I drove by a recruiter’s office, stopped in and re-joined as a Reservist.”

Before joining the military the first time, Bisdnack played football at Dean Junior College in Franklin, Massachusetts. “I always wanted to go in the military,” Bisdnack said. “Paying off my student loans and traveling were a big part of my decision to enlist as well.”

Not only did his loans get paid off, but he also accomplished his travel related goals with the military as he has had stints in Spain, Alaska and twice in Hawaii, among other locales.

Bisdnack’s Reserve unit is assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base where he is the Chief of Military Equal Employment Opportunity. He has spent the majority of his active and reserve duty in transportation. The serendipitous change in responsibility has allowed him to stay in the States and out of Iraq. “I would have been there and back in my old job,” Bisdnack said.

As a Reservist, Bisdnack serves one weekend per month plus a 15 consecutive-day stint each year and is “on-call” at all times. Still, faced with the prospect of being deployed to Iraq or elsewhere on as little as 48 hours notice, Bisdnack remains steadfast. “It hasn’t changed my mindset,” he said”. “That’s why they have the Reserves.”

“I’ve made myself more prepared, however, knowing that it could actually happen.”

Currently a Technical Sergeant (E6 rank equivalent), Bidsnack is just weeks away from becoming an officer. He was recently awarded the prestigious honor of being selected to attend the Academy of Military Science where Air Force National Guardsmen and Reservists are commissioned officers.

“I have been in the military since 1979 and when I’m asked to endorse a commissioning package I look for the following key qualities: leadership abilities, trustworthiness, character, integrity and communication skills,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Miguel Manjarres. “Chris possesses them all!”

“Chris exemplifies the Air Force values of Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do and Integrity First,” Lt. Col Manjarres continued. “He has shown and proven he can manage people and resources, as well as be trusted to flawlessly carry out his responsibilities.”

The six week course includes both physical training and classroom work. Bisdnack expects to be running 3-5 miles per day, marching and being subjected to the traditional daily military inspections. The academic portion of the schooling will include classes on military history, customs and courtesies, leadership and the like.

With the full support of his employer, Bisdnack turns the reigns of the Maricopa Post Office over to his replacement, Randy Cowger, tomorrow and leaves for school at McGee Tyson Air Guard Base in Tennessee on March 14. “The Arizona District of the United States Postal Service is extremely proud of Chris and his desire to serve and protect our country,” said Ronda Carrington, a spokesperson for the Postal Service.

Upon his return in April as a 2nd Lieutenant, Bisdnack will likely have 10 more years of service ahead of him. “That would give me 24 years and allow me to retire with officer benefits.”

Congratulations and Good Luck, Chris!