Chief Long will carry on for departing logistics pro

Published May 13, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Tabitha N. Haynes
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. -- Chief Master Sgt. Carl Long, of The U.S. Air Force Band, stepped away from his 24-year career as a performer to assume the mantle of band superintendent April 26.

Chief Long now works the administrative side of the house, assisting with details that oversee the USAF band's approximately 2,000 performances a year. Former superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth Schouten, is slated to retire Aug. 1.

"Senior leadership in the building thought I would be a good fit for the job," said Chief Long. "If they felt that is where I could best serve the organization, then how could I say no?"

Chief Long earned his Masters degree in music theory at Boston University before joining the enlisted force, he said. He was also doing free-lance music work within the Boston area during this time.

After auditioning and being selected for the USAF concert band, Chief Long enlisted Oct. 15, 1986. He arrived at then Bolling Air Force Base not long after Thanksgiving, 1986.

"The fantastic thing about a career here as a performer is that you basically get to spend a whole career performing, play free concerts across the country, representing something phenomenal, which is the United States Air Force," said Chief Long.

According to the Chief, his purview will be things that impact the quality of life, professional development and ability to execute the mission for the performers.

Chief Long said performing in the USAF Band for 24 years provides him with some perspective on what the mission is all about.

"You learn from what came before you," he said.

There is "absolutely no way" he is going to fill Chief Schouten's shoes, said Chief Long, but he learned a great deal watching her. Chief Long said he hopes to emulate the professionalism, the attention to detail and the compassion for the band members Chief Schouten consistently displayed.

Not everybody will approve of the decisions he makes, said Chief Long, because the very nature of a decision is that you are going to have both happy and unhappy people. The only way to avoid that is never making a decision, and that is weak leadership. His goal is to do the right thing, he said.

"There are some similarities between Chief Schouten and me. Some," said Chief Long. "She and I both play clarinet, and we both share a deep concern for the welfare of our people in our organization, as well as a responsibility to that organization."

Chief Schouten has been an intricate part of the band for many years, said Chief Long. As superintendent, her compassion and desire to mentor the people in the band are what made her a most valuable asset to the organization.

"People are going to miss her in this office for quite a while," said Chief Long, referring to her role as superintendent.

He still plays clarinet, even with his new responsibilities. "The job I have right now is not a performance job, but I suspect there is a good possibility that if we are short-handed, they may ask me to fill in on an as needed basis," said Chief Long. "Chief Schouten did that, too."

The one thing Chief Long wants his squadron to know is "I'm here to help - with anything."