AFDW's new leadership and a perspective on the future

Published Jan. 28, 2011
By Aletha Frost
AFDW Public Affairs

AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON, Md. -- The new Air Force District of Washington commander has used his first two months on the job to assess units and personnel, and set forth his vision for the future.

Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew, who took charge Dec. 9, 2010, wants to continue the three tenets of "Superior Service, Civil Support, and Contingency Response" that have been in place. But, he asked everyone within AFDW to personally recommit themselves to these practices.

"Superior service is one tenet of the Air Force District of Washington's mission motto. If you are going to provide superior service you have to recommit to it every now and then, because standards can easily slip away. We've set a lofty goal and you need to re-examine where you set the bar." he said.

The general wants AFDW's customers and mission partners to receive excellence in everything, so the command can be recognized externally, as well as internally, as the best-of-the-best.

AFDW people and organizations have an opportunity to meet that goal, with the upcoming challenge of a Unit Compliance Inspection. The general addressed the inspection at a meeting specifically targeting UCI program leaders within AFDW.
"In order to truly get a feel for where you stand, you must beware of inflated self assessments," he said. "Your customers and mission partners are the ones who need to affirm your superior status."

The general has made it clear that the command will not only pass the June 4 inspection, but exceed standards.

Meeting and exceeding expectations and two-way communication became paramount to General McDew at a young age. He learned early that you need mentors and leaders that inspire you to be only the best.

General McDew has been an Air Force member all his life. The eldest son of a retired Air Force master sergeant, the general began his own military legacy upon graduation from the Virginia Military Institute in 1982.

There have been numerous people in General McDew's life who have shaped his career. As a young military dependent, his first influencer was Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Rogers, a friend of his father's who became his recreational league basketball coach. The chief taught the young boys on the team leadership skills, to set high expectations and goals to reach excellence, and convinced them that you can be anything in life that you are determined to be. It doesn't matter where you come from, but where you're determined to go.

The second was a United States Marine Corps instructor at the general's alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, who was the young students' model for 'officership' - teaching him how to treat people, how to conduct yourself, and how to stand for your ideals over time.

Those lessons were a few of many that the senior officer has learned throughout his career, and is bringing with him to his latest undertaking at the helm of AFDW.
The two-star comes to AFDW from the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, where he served as vice director of Strategic Plans and Policy.

He is a command pilot who's had a variety of assignments, including a fellowship with the office of the secretary of defense and aide to the president of the United States, and commander at every level from squadron to vice commander at the Air Force largest numbered Air Force.

"The command is in great shape," noted the general. "We have a group of talented Airman both in uniform and out, the retirees, and people in the community who care about the command and Airmen in the NCR," he said.

General McDew said that he believes in the people of AFDW more than they believe in themselves. He wants everyone to know that their day-to-day efforts are appreciated. He would like for them to hear it and feel it from him, and to earn the recognition from the different awards and accolades available for their efforts. He also expects nothing less than an 'outstanding' outcome from the UCI.

General and Mrs. McDew are extremely happy to be at AFDW and relish the opportunity to serve side-by-side with Airmen. "Evelyn also understands, empathizes with and wants to improve the lives of Airmen of every rank, in every situation," he said.

They look forward to making AFDW home and are committed to work that will ensure the NCR is not an overwhelming place to work and live, but a rewarding and enjoyable place.

The two-star believes the Air Force recruits and retains the best America has to offer, and that we cannot 'over-thank' them enough for their decision to serve. When asked what legacy he would leave AFDW, Maj Gen McDew responded that he doesn't think about legacy. If someone asks the same question years from now, then the hope is that we invested in our Airmen and developed leaders that guided the Air Force into the future.

AFDW Commander sets expectations