AFMC command chief visits units at Scott AFB

Published Jan. 19, 2011
By Mr. Burt Foutz
Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Chief Master Sergeant Eric Jaren, Air Force Materiel Command's command chief master sergeant, came to Scott Air Force Base Jan. 12 to visit the men and women of the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center, 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing, and 635th Supply Chain Operations Group.

Chief Jaren said the purpose of his visit was to evaluate the education, development, training, readiness, effective utilization, and quality-of-life for the Airmen he is responsible for.

As tenant organizations at Scott, the AFGLSC, 635th SCOW, and 635th SCOG are all supported by the 375th Air Mobility Wing. Chief Jaren relies on Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Solomito, AFGLSC Command Chief, to partner closely with the 375th AMW Command Chief to ensure daily needs for AFGLSC Airmen are met. To garner a first-hand perspective, Chief Jaren hosted breakfast with his units' junior enlisted and lunch with senior enlisted at the Nightingale Dining Facility. He also visited the 375th AMW Fitness Assessment Cell, and received a tour of one of the rooms in the Shiloh Dormitory.

"We have come long way from the 1950s style dorms I occupied when I first came into the Air Force," said Chief Jaren. "We had two to a room and had to use a communal shower. This is so much better."

Overall, he said, he was very impressed with all aspects pertaining to quality of life.
Visiting Scott also gave Chief Jaren an opportunity to have an "All Call" with enlisted members of the AFGLSC, 635th SCOW, and 635th SCOG. During this forum he addressed several areas, including two he feels very passionately about.

First, he discussed continuing education of the enlisted corps and the AFMC "Year of the Community College of the Air Force." He spoke about how enlisted Airmen in today's Air Force need to work on attaining higher education, staying one step ahead of issues they may face as the Air Force becomes more technologically driven. He said Airmen have many avenues to further their education: Community College of the Air Force, local universities, and online courses.

"Only through continued education will all of you be able to keep up with the advancements we see every day in the Air Force," he said.

Second, Chief Jaren spoke about getting back to basics. He believes Air Force members need to go back to having in-person boards, roll calls, and other traditional events to enrich Airmen's work lives.

"We have moved away from face-to-face time," Chief Jaren said. "We need to get back to it. How can we possibly learn about each other if we never see each other? We need to reconnect."

During a question and answer segment, he was asked, "What is one bit of advice you'd give to a young NCO planning to make the Air Force a career?"

His advice: "Get to know your Airmen. You cannot be an effective leader if you do not know your people."