AMC command chief retires after 30 years of service Published Feb. 22, 2006 By 1st Lt. Katherine Kebisek Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AMCNS) -- Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kerver, command chief master sergeant of Air Mobility Command will retire Feb. 28 after 30 years of military service. Born and raised in Cleveland, Chief Kerver joined the Air Force in 1976 for one very simple reason. “I shared a bedroom with three other brothers, and I wanted my own space. Little did I know that new space would be shared with 50 of my 'newest' friends in a dormitory at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,” said the chief. “I also wanted to get out and try to make something of myself, learn a skill, and travel a bit, so the military seemed to be it.” Inspired by a friend who had enlisted a few months prior, Chief Kerver visited an Air Force recruiter. “I always wanted to be a mechanic, and [the recruiter] offered me a guaranteed job in power production; so I signed the dotted line and joined. It was that simple.” Although at the time he wasn’t sure if he would make a career in the military, he took one day at a time, and simply enjoyed being a civil engineering power production troop and playing softball in his free time. After about 15 years working in power production, Chief Kerver began his six years as a first sergeant, a duty he says was perhaps one of the most challenging things he’s done in his three decades of service. “As a first sergeant, you impact people’s lives in tremendous ways – both good and not so good,” he said. “Fairness and consistency is the key because everybody is an individual.” The chief said that as a first sergeant he wore many different hats – he was next to his Airmen when they accomplished great things, and was right there next to them when they stepped out of line. He believes that growing up on the streets of Cleveland helped him develop street smarts, a tool that gave him guidance and common sense in a way that books can’t when it comes to dealing with issues. “Issues aren’t always black and white – some things are; a lot of things aren’t,” he said. “Being able to drill down into what’s really going on and being able to make a difference was the best part of being a first sergeant.” After serving as a first sergeant, Chief Kerver went on to serve as a senior enlisted advisor and later the command chief master sergeant at the 66th Air Base Wing and Electronic System Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass. From there he became command chief master sergeant for 21st Air Force at McGuire AFB, N.J., before he took his current assignment at AMC. “Being the AMC Command Chief is a great way to end a career,” he said. “It’s the culmination of being a first sergeant and a senior enlisted leader, and it feels good to be able to utilize my experiences to help develop our enlisted corps. My agenda has always been driven by those I serve, and not by a checklist. Over the years, I’ve been grateful for the trust my supervisors and commander’s have had in me to make decisions and to influence Air Force and MAJCOM programs and policies.” During his time in AMC, the chief has been involved in developing many Air Force programs, including changes in enlisted professional military education, the physical training program, the length and content of Basic Military Training, and the new Airman Battle Uniform he currently wears, among others. Representing the more than 40,000 enlisted troops in AMC comes with its challenges, but Chief Kerver said he has stayed focused on three things from his first day on the job – staying focused on the war, accidents and suicides, and professional development. “Sometimes when we’re in garrison we forget what’s going on in Iraq and Afghanistan and why we’re fighting this war,” he said. “My message to people is to be prepared … you have to be ready because it’s not so much if you’ll deploy, it’s when! Take the training seriously, take it to heart, and understand why you raised your right hand to serve.” Doing everything possible to prevent accidents and suicides is always a priority, he says, because even one death is too many. As for professional development, Chief Kerver believes it is key in any Airman’s career success. “Whatever an Airman wants to be in the Air Force, we ought to be able to show him or her how to get there,” he said. During his time as AMC command chief, he has worked hard to make resources available to Airmen through base professional development centers, and standardization of curriculums, among others. Chief Kerver works hard to make opportunities available to Airmen because he believes that, ultimately, the one thing the Air Forces gives its people is opportunity. “[Airmen] have the opportunity to lead people, to learn different skills, the opportunity to travel, and opportunity for cultural experiences, the opportunity to serve – the list is endless, but the Air Force gives that to you,” he said. “I think the only difference between myself and every other Airman is how we take advantage of those opportunities we’re given.” As the chief prepares to depart, his observations during his time in AMC give him great faith in the future of the Air Force. “Today’s force is more focused and professional than it’s ever been,” he said. “Once Airmen are assigned to duties and responsibilities, I watch them start to grow. Plus supervisors are better today than I’ve ever seen them before – they’re interested and care, are better prepared to look people in the eyes and give them the feedback and guidance they need to help them succeed in their own careers.” He believes the professionalism of today’s force is a result of developing leadership through professional military education and professional development courses, and it’s had a ripple effect from the top down. While Chief Kerver said he enjoyed every assignment in his 30 years, he seems to hold a special place in his heart for AMC. “We are just a bunch of blue collar guys, trying to make a hard job look easy! I was once standing by a C-130 maintainer at Ramstein, and as I was trying to get into his head about what we could do to better recognize him, he told me that beyond the plaques, days off, and certificates of appreciation, his greatest source of satisfaction was watching that airplane get off the ground. He had something to do with that, and that made him proud,” the chief said. “The sun never sets on AMC, and there is not a spot you can go in this world where you would not find an aerial porter or maintainer keeping the cargo and passengers loaded, and missions flying.” Chief Kerver added that as he travels around the command, he smiles and reflects on the extraordinary efforts of those wearing an AMC patch. “I’ve been blessed to have had this opportunity to serve, and I couldn’t imagine being assigned or closing my career elsewhere,” he said. “All I ever wanted to do was make a difference, and if you remember anything, remember that once you reach the top, it’s important you reach back and bring others along with you. I’ll always cherish the memories, and have lots of pictures to look back at, but it’s time to start writing the next chapter.”