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New AFMC chiefs attend orientation

  • Published
  • By Kim Dawley
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The 23 newest chief master sergeants within Air Force Materiel Command gathered for a week-long orientation here earlier this month. The AFMC Chiefs' Orientation is held every year after the promotion selectee list is published.

"This orientation is essential to get these new chiefs the tools and information they need to lead at the top of the enlisted ranks," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, AFMC command chief. "Even in these challenging fiscal times, we consider this week mission essential because of how critical it is that, as our senior enlisted leaders, these men and women are fully prepared for their new role."

One of the first sessions the new chiefs attended was Leadership Perspective with Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC commander.

"I rely on the advice and counsel that I get each and every day from Chief Warner," she said. "That is the role that you all will play in your organizations -- you are an integral member of the leadership team. Your relationship with the commander is instrumental to mission success, because you bring a perspective to the table that is invaluable."

Wolfenbarger also encouraged the chiefs to think about the vision promoted by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III.

"Know where you fit, and help your Airmen figure out where they fit," she said.

The orientation also included a session led by Warner himself, who encouraged the group to keep up the stellar work that led to their promotion to chief master sergeant.

"To get to this point, you have done everything the Air Force has asked of you, and you've done it better than your peers," he said. "You're experts at your jobs; you're great leaders and managers; you're involved in the activities in your squadron, in your group, in your wing; you're going to the Top 3 meetings. People see you out and involved and engaged. You're going to school or you're doing something to make yourself better. Don't stop doing any of that; don't stop being present."

Warner also said, though, that -- as chiefs -- they would have to shift their thinking to a strategic level.

To help with the shift to strategic thinking, this year's orientation included even more leadership insight than previous years. Throughout the week, the attendees heard perspectives from Lt. Gen. Andrew Busch, AFMC vice commander; Mike Gill, AFMC executive director; and each of AFMC's center command chiefs -- Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Chief Master Sgt. John Dougherty of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Vegas of the Air Force Sustainment Center and Chief Master Sgt. Chris McCollor of the Air Force Test Center.

In addition to the center command chiefs, who were present for the entire orientation, two guest mentors were in attendance -- retired Chief Master Sgt. John "Doc" McCauslin and retired Chief Master Sgt. Alan Usry. The guest mentors offered their own perspectives at dedicated sessions but were also available to answer general questions about the expectations that come with being a chief master sergeant.

The rest of the orientation included sessions covering different functional areas -- everything from a Wing Commanders panel, a Legal Perspective, a session on writing from a chief's perspective, and more. There was even a crash-course from protocol on customs and courtesies.

"Some sessions are standard and included every year," Warner said. "For example, some of the chiefs are new to the command, so we always include a mission brief to familiarize the group with what AFMC does for the Air Force. We also invite the chief of the Chiefs' Group every year, because assignments and personnel issues are handled differently for chiefs."

Other sessions at the orientation target current trends or issues within AFMC or the Air Force. This year, for example, included a video teleconference with the Air Force Personnel Center command chief to discuss force management issues as well as sessions on enlisted professional military education, the current budget climate and AFMC's dedication to a culture of respect and resiliency.

Warner wrapped up the week with a charge to the command's newest chiefs.

"It goes without saying, and you've heard this from everybody -- congratulations, and we are proud of you," he said. "You've made it to this point in your career because you are the leaders that we need to move our Air Force into the future. You are the chiefs to lead us through the challenges set before us. We're counting on you to help us continue this journey forward."