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New AFDW commander sets expectations

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
  • AFDW Public Affairs
Maj. Gen. Darren McDew set forth his expectations for the Air Force District of Washington enlisted force during his first enlisted call Dec. 17.

He reiterated his main expectations from when he assumed command the week prior - promising that AFDW will be renowned for excellence by those inside and outside the organization, will recommit itself to superior service and exceptional support, and will endeavor to make the National Capital Region a better place to call home.

"When I turn to this audience to make stuff happen - it does!" said the new AFDW commander. "I want everyone to know this, to know more about what we do here."

The major general admitted that AFDW can be a confusing organization at times, but that it is one of the most important organizations in the Air Force because it is the face and voice of the Air Force in the NCR. He explained that there are many layers under the Military District of Washington, but that the basis of who the Air Force is in this area begins with AFDW members.

"I was taught that if you are part of a good organization that you are happy to be a part of, then lay the praise with the enlisted corps," he said. "If that's not true - look in the mirror, everyone is responsible for making where you are the best place to be."

The general not only laid out his expectations of others, but let them know what they could expect from him.

"I will always believe in you, always appreciate you, always communicate with you, always back you up as you enforce and exceed standards," he said. "It's our Air Force and I want us to leave it better than we found it."

He summed up his 28 years so far in the military and told stories of some of the people who've influenced him along the way. The general is the oldest child of a retired Air Force master sergeant, with a younger brother currently serving the Air Force as a senior master sergeant. General McDew said he was raised as a proud "NCO club card-carrying member" and was reluctant to give that up when he commissioned.

As a young military dependent, his first influencer was a chief master sergeant who was a friend of his father's and became his assistant basketball coach. This man taught the general to set expectations and took him and his fellow 12-year-old teammates to a city championship.

The second was an instructor at the general's alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, who taught him that you can get people's attention without ever raising your voice or being foul or degrading. This major also influenced his student with his physical fitness and "constant immaculate uniform."

The third was the commander's first supervisor in the military - a major, and Vietnam era KC-135 pilot, who had been passed up for promotion to lieutenant colonel. According to General McDew, instead of allowing this to turn him sour, his supervisor turned it into a vow to not let it happen to anyone else. He drove the young McDew to be a better pilot and a better officer by telling him what was best for him and his career.

"This showed me you don't have to be friends with someone to be a good supervisor," he said. "You just have to convince them to work hard, sometimes even harder than you."
The general believes the Air Force recruits and retains the best America has to offer, but also said he believes the AFDW workforce has skills and capabilities that haven't even been tapped into yet. He said he will tap into that.

"I expect you to meet and exceed standards and drive others to exceed them too, every day."

The commander thanked everyone for their time, and told them to expect more two-way communication during his tenure.

"You will get sick of me saying 'thank you' far too much," he said. "It will be the first thing out of my mouth when I talk to you. If I do my job here right, by the time I'm done here as your commander, you will say I thanked you far too much. But over time, you'll know that I actually mean it."