AMC's new command CMSgt: 'Be Ready!'

Published Nov. 16, 2009
By Bekah Clark
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- It was 1982 when Airman Basic Dave Spector, lugging a toolbox more than half his weight, followed Staff Sgt. Ernie Cota to perform some maintenance on the running C-5 that was preparing to take off. Now, nearly 28 years later, as Air Mobility Command's new command chief master sergeant, that first day on the flight line is still Chief Spector's most memorable Air Force moment.

Chief Spector, who began his career as an aircraft maintainer on the C-5 and C-141, took the seat Oct. 22 as the AMC commander's principal advisor on enlisted matters.

"It's great to be back," he said "I have a deep history in this command, and my AMC roots are near and dear to me."

Chief Spector took the time recently to answer a few questions concerning the AMC mission, its people, and current issues affecting the command.

Q. What's your impression thus far of AMC and its Airmen?

I started in this command with no stripes, as an Airman Basic. It's good to be back. One of my first observations is that AMC Airmen have an unmistakable enthusiasm, sense of mission, and an understanding of mobility operations and the global role we play, better than probably any other Airmen. I was privileged to be a part of the recent Airlift/Tanker Association convention where so many Airmen worked their way over to me to tell me about what they're doing in AMC. Every one of them was familiar with how they contributed to the mission. I feel good about that; connecting their understanding of what they do and how their mission relates to the bigger picture is a really important piece of keeping Airmen motivated.

Q. As you know, we're in the midst of celebrating the Year of the Air Force Family, while, at the same time, we're deploying Airmen more often and for longer periods of time. What words do you have for the families of our frequently deployed Airmen?

Thank you! Thank you for supporting our Airmen who are doing pretty big things for our nation. Oftentimes our family members aren't thanked appropriately and sincerely by senior leadership and sometimes from their own servicemembers. I'm guilty of that; sometimes those closest to me don't get the thanks they deserve. I just assume they know I appreciate them and they're good to go. It's such a mistake to just assume that. Instead, we need to slow down, throttle back, look them in the eye, thank them and put action behind those words by making extra efforts by attending children's events and supporting your spouse. And to our single Airmen, remember to recognize your parents, siblings and friends who support you, and make reinvigorating friendships and visiting siblings and parents a top priority.

We recognize that we're asking our Airmen and their families and friends to sacrifice quantity of time - and there are no words to express our gratitude for that sacrifice. But by sacrificing quantity of time we hope to make it up with the depth of quality time. We want to ensure, as Airmen reintegrate and spend time with family and friends, that they're taking advantage of all that's available to them and focusing on quality of time. We trust and hope our programs are robust and organized so, when our Airmen are home to enjoy them, the programs help them and, just as importantly, our Airmen feel comfortable about family care while they're gone.

Q. What advice do you have for the young Airmen preparing for their first deployment? What about those Airmen who are gearing up for their third or fourth deployment?

To the Airmen deploying for the first time: remember the basics! We believe strongly in train the way you fight - we started training you on day one of basic training, we continue training you until the hour of your departure, and even when you get into theater. Trust your training, rely on your training, follow your training. Also, employ the wingman concept; no one can do this stuff alone. We have to rely on others - it's a team effort. So, in your quest to deploy for the first time, get with someone you respect and admire, and has deployed already, and ask them to talk you through it.

To those Airmen deploying for their third, or fourth time: thank you for sacrificing, repeatedly, time away from family, from your home mission. But I caution you to not become complacent and lose focus. Don't take your eyes off the ball just because "nothing has ever happened there before." This is serious business; we are a nation at war.

Q. With the 10-year anniversary of 9-11 approaching - many of today's NCOs are, or will be, moving into senior leadership roles and have only known what it's like to be a service at war. What advice do you have for those NCOs when, and if, the conflict begins to wind down?

Be ready for new leadership challenges that will emerge with the change in our mission focus. Part of being ready is thinking about it - thinking through scenarios and change. I count on Non Commissioned Officers and Senior NCOs to be change agents, because what happened several weeks ago is not what's going to be happening several weeks from now. We will have a change on the horizon, and we will look to those NCOs to help lead and manage that change.

Q. As the principal advisor to the AMC commander on matters of health, welfare and morale, professional development and the effective use of AMC Airmen, what is your biggest responsibility?

It's two-fold. I am the representative enlisted voice for AMC, and it's a huge responsibility to capture feedback from Airmen, positive or negative, and deliver it to the boss. However, the commander has goals and priorities, and I have the responsibility to champion them on his behalf to the Airmen. I see that as a huge part of my responsibility; not to have to explain every single order, but to understand the justification behind them and be able to articulate direction to any Airman who says, "I have the order, but I'm not sure how I fit into it." That's part of being a leader - if you care about Airmen, and you want them to understand how they fit into the bigger picture, you may have to build a bridge to help them understand their contribution to the mission.

I will fill the gap; I'll help seam the general's vision with the performance standards and roles that our Airmen will have to meet. I don't know if I have a bigger responsibility than that - it all boils down to taking care of people. Both the AMC commander and I are concerned about making sure our Airmen are taken care of. We're all in agreement on the headquarters staff that if you take care of the Airmen, they'll take care of the mission.

Q. In light of fiscal year 2009's spike in private motor vehicle accidents over fiscal year 2008, why should all Airmen consider safety in everything they do?

The loss of even one Airman is too great, and its effect on the Airman's family, and their Air Force family, is incalculable. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of thinking through the potential risks in your activities, not only on the job, but in your personal time as well. When you're at work, don't ignore the safety measures - they exist for your well-being, and just because you haven't had a problem before is not reason enough to disregard those standards even once. Additionally, as we head into the holiday season, I want to remind all Airmen to make responsible decisions. Take care when hanging holiday lights and using your fireplace. Also, be cautious driving through inclement weather - follow the rules of the road and always wear your seatbelt or a helmet if you ride a motorcycle. And, finally, please drink responsibly. As you're out celebrating, always have a plan and stick to it - use a designated driver, call a taxi, and have a backup plan. Behaving recklessly can always be prevented and if you take the time to plan ahead you'll find that many potential dangers can be mitigated.

Q. If you were only able to accomplish one goal during your tenure as AMC's command chief, what would that goal be?

I want to ensure that every Airman knows how they fit into the mission. But it's deeper than that - I want all Airmen to be personally and professionally developed. Airmen need focused, personal and professional development. They need to be organized, trained and equipped and in the process of doing so the right way, most Airmen will understand how they fit into the mission. No one wants to wake up and say 'I don't know how I'm contributing today,' but we have Airmen who don't know how they contribute, and they're the ones who end up being viewed as incompatible with the military organization because someone didn't take the time to explain their value to the mission.

Q. Who, or what, has had the biggest influence on your career?

First and foremost, my wife and my son, who have kept me grounded and supported me throughout my career. I absolutely could not have accomplished what I have, or do what I do without their support.

Secondly, my dad is retired Army and my association as part of a military family influenced my desire to be in an organization, a family that was much bigger than just my immediate family.

Thirdly, I have been fortunate to have had great supervisors. Specifically, supervisors, Chief Master Sgt. Keith Baird, Chief Master Sgt. Gary Thompson, Master Sgt. George Gaines, and Staff Sgt. Ernie Cota, throughout my career, grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and made sure that Airman Dave Spector knew how to turn wrenches, completed his CDCs, understood how to be an enlisted aviator, and had a place to go for Thanksgiving. They took the time to know me, mentor me, coach me, and point me in the right direction to help me develop skills that weren't quite developed. Sergeant Cota even cosigned for my first motorcycle loan! I don't know where Ernie is today, but I'm grateful to him.

Finally, flying as a flight engineer; I felt very privileged as a young Airman to travel the world and sit between two pilots who were college graduates who had flown globally and were culturally educated. Having that exposure educated me enormously, and inspired me to seek a college education, and ultimately, become a strong advocate for continuing education.

Q. What's the most important thing you want to tell AMC Airmen?

Be ready - to lead, to be good wingmen and friends, to be great spouses and parents, to perform your mission, to be fit, to be educated. Be ready! The expectation is there. You took an oath of enlistment, and you swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States. That's a big deal. Those are heavy duty words. You swore to be ready...you gave us your word so, be ready.

AMC’s new command CMSgt: “Be ready!”