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The chiefs’ perspective: Panel of command chiefs share views during A/TA conference

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
ORLANDO, Fla. --  Six command chief master sergeants addressed questions concerning force shaping and quality of life issues during a panel session at the 38th annual Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct 31.

The chiefs on the panel were Chief Master Sergeants: Joe Barron, command chief master sergeant of Air Mobility Command; Dick Smith, Air Force National Guard command chief master sergeant; Jackson Winsett, command chief master sergeant of Air Force Reserve Command; James Cody, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force command chief master sergeant; Carl Hunsinger, 375th Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant and Brye McMillon, 18th Air Force command chief master sergeant.

The panel began with a discussion about quality of life as the Department of Defense prepares for joint basing.

"Joint basing has good qualities; mostly it is more efficient," said Chief Barron. "We are Airmen in the Air Force and we will continue to treat our Airmen as members of the Air Force. Quality of life must be protected, regardless of whether an Airman is at an Army, Navy or Air Force base."

"Wing commanders and equivalent level commanders from the other services must work together to ensure that the quality of life remains up to standards and that members get what they pay for when they use those services," said Chief McMillon.

The chiefs also discussed at length the importance of solid leadership, especially with issues such as Force Shaping and deployments weighing heavily on Airmen's minds. One attendee asked how to best encourage an Airman who is up for Force Shaping to continue to work their hardest.

"We have to remember that Airmen are people," said Chief Cody. "If they want to continue serving, there is a place for them in today's Air Force. However, that place may be in another Air Force Specialty Code."

While the active duty Air Force is looking at large personnel cuts, Chief Smith explained how the Guard dealt with the issue.

"The Guard was hit with approximately 14,000 eliminations and we choose to take the budget hit instead of getting rid of our people," said Chief Smith. "That budget loss was close to $1.8 billion. Our recruiting and retention are above 90 percent and we are within 1,000 of our 2006 end strength numbers."

After a question regarding 365-day deployments, Chief Cody assured those in the audience that 365-day deployments are not going to become the standard, but rather will continue to target only stressed AFSCs. All others will continue to deploy in the Air Expeditionary Force Cycle.

The final question to the chiefs asked if, with so many Air Force systems online, there was a worry that Airmen will lose face-to-face time with their supervisors.

"The challenge of communication is what will be taken away, what will be remembered," said Chief Cody. "We have to balance the online communications with the face-to-face interaction. I was told once that sometimes you have to say something six different ways to get the point across. If we send that e-mail then we need to follow it up with face-to-face interaction."

"Sending e-mails to troops before a four-day weekend reminding them to stay safe is not leadership," said Chief Hunsinger. "Getting out there and speaking to your people is leadership."

After answering as many questions as time permitted, the chiefs shared their thoughts on leadership and the future of the Air Force before leaving the stage.

"I will be the first to tell you that [the Air Force] has challenges facing it in the future and it will make mistakes." said Chief Barron. "If you see us, the Air Force, about to make a big mistake, make sure you forward that concern up your chain of command so it gets to us."

"The Air Force is changing; it has been at war and will be at war for a long time," said Chief Winsett. "Never forget total-force integration; AMC has always been at the forefront of the total-force concept. The job won't get done if we don't do it together."