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Newest NCR chiefs, selects focus on leadership

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  Only one percent of Airmen achieve the rank of chief master sergeant; 29 of the newest chief selects and promotees gathered to learn more about the responsibilities that come with the rank during the Air Force District of Washington's Chief Orientation Seminar here March 2 through 6.  

This course's attendees include not only active duty Airmen, but also Guardsman and Reservists who work across the National Capital Region and some of AFDW's geographically separated chief selects.

Throughout the week subject matter experts will discuss the hottest Air Force issues ranging from budgets to sexual assault response and prevention. 

"We have brought in guest speakers with information relevant to our new chiefs to prepare them for that next level of leadership and topics that the old chief's leadership course used to cover," said Chief Master Sgt. Eliezer Cruz, 11th Security Forces Group superintendent and seminar committee lead.

One of the speakers was AFDW's first sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes, Jr., who laid out a simple collective goal for the group.

"I want us to walk out of here and be more effective as leaders," he said.

Hayes, who has been a first sergeant since 2009, told the group their new stripe can change the perception others have of their actions and words.

"As chiefs we don't have to know everything, but we have to ask good questions on processes, about how it got to this point, and what happens next," he said. "We have to be ready to advise and make recommendations. Remember, your voice has a lot of weight."


The 11th Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Vance Kondon served as a mentor during the first day of the seminar. He explained to the group that as chiefs they will set the tone for their organization.

"You'll have significant influence on the culture of your units," he said. "If the culture in your unit is going down the wrong trail, you need to step in as a chief and make a course correction quickly. You have got to take a stand for our core values in our organization. You can't just talk the talk; you have got to walk the walk. You have that influence over the culture in your organization."

He also stressed to the group that it is important to keep their role in the Air Force in perspective stating, "It is not about you, it is about the Airmen and the Air Force."

"You have not arrived," he said. "I'm going to put that in some context. The Air Force's needs come first. You have brothers and sisters in arms who wear this rank, who think they deserve something. You deserve what the U.S. Air Force gives you. We do what the Air Force asks us to do, that is what we represent and we have to live that to its fullest."  

The week will continue with additional speakers including the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force who are both scheduled to address the group during the course. The ordination seminar will conclude with a recognition banquet March 6.