New ANG Command Chief's key aim points to Airmen

by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston
Air National Guard Special Staff Public Affairs

3/4/2013 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The new Command Chief of the Air National Guard met with ANG Airmen in the National Capital Region for the first time during an enlisted call at the ANG Readiness Center here Thursday.

Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, who assumed his role Feb. 4 as the 11th Command Chief of the ANG, took the opportunity to introduce his family and discuss his three key aim points; the profession of arms, the health of the force, and recognizing and renewing commitment to Airmen.

"First, I am going to focus on us renewing our commitment to the profession of arms," said Hotaling. "We have to do professional development, we have to deliberately develop ourselves, we have to go to the right schools, we have to educate ourselves. All of those factors are what we will focus on because we are a profession of arms."

Hotaling said he would dig down into the details of issues such as changes with enlisted performance reports and how having a Community College of the Air Force degree may impact an Airman's future. He said he would frame EPR and CCAF decisions on the profession of arms.

"[My] second focus point is the health of the force," Hotaling said. "If you read any job description of any of the enlisted starting at the supervisory level all the way up to the command chief, we are supposed to take care of people."

Hotaling said taking care of people is the ANG's business and that Airman and family readiness programs will be significant for he and his wife, Marie.

"We are going to look at this together," said Hotaling. "We are going to make sure that we are taking care of Airmen, it is very important."

Other aspects of the health of the force discussed by Hotaling included working with a resiliency mindset during challenging times and sexual assault and prevention to make sure make sure we take care of Airmen holistically.

"The last focus point is to recognize and embrace our achievements," said Hotaling. "Tell our story; what we do is an incredible thing for our nation every single day."
He said it is imperative to show Airmen in the ANG how they fit into the mission.

"It is very important that the lowest ranking Airman understands what his or her responsibility is," said Hotaling, "and why we are the most dominating Air Force in the world."

Hotaling concluded by emphasizing the need to show Airmen sincere thanks for the hard work they do.

"We can't just keep patting people on the back and saying great job, see you again tomorrow," Hotaling said. "We have got to make sure that they are recognized for what [they] do, because we are professionals, and that is a part of what we do."

As the ANG Command Chief, Hotaling represents the highest level of enlisted leadership in the ANG. He is responsible for matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of ANG personnel and their families.