24th AF CCC speaks to new role

24th Air Force Public Affairs

2/12/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Chief Master Sgt. Brendan Criswell has only been in San Antonio a few weeks, but he is already excited to start making an impact on 24th Air Force.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish in your time here?

A. My overall goal when I am done here is to simply leave the 24th better than I found it. I will continue to build upon the great work of the first two Command Chiefs to develop AFCYBER and Cyber Airmen.

Q. What are you most excited about in coming to 24th Air Force?

A. We are on the cutting edge of unprecedented change, and I can't wait! If there is one business going through a tremendous transition right now it's cyber and I'm excited to be involved in this growth industry at such a foundational stage. There is much work to be done to define the cyber mission for the Air Force and the Joint team.

Q. What do you see as the most difficult part of your job?

A. The cyber domain is unlike any other domain as it's entirely man-made. We are simultaneously creating the environment and developing how we can use that environment to our advantage. This is new territory to operate, defend and, if necessary, defeat the adversary in. It's also difficult to grow a new mission in an increasingly resource constrained Air Force. There will be pressure to create an ideal cyber architecture coupled with a fiscal reality that won't support all of the requirements. From developing the weapons systems to developing the Airmen who fly them, it will be a tough challenge--but Airmen have faced tough challenges before.

Q. What are your expectations of our Airmen?

A. I call on leaders at all levels throughout 24th Air Force to show our young Airmen how to be proud to serve. The Air Force is in tough times now with the budget and reduced numbers. All too often this is what consumes our thoughts, but we are not defined by our budget. We are defined by our legacy of great Airmen accomplishing the impossible. Cyber is yet another element in our incredible history where smart Airmen are turning what was once impossible into just another day at the office. The thing that will get us through trying times is great leadership building great teams focused on service and the mission. An Airman should never be left to make a dollar for dollar comparison between their job in the Air Force and one on the outside. Being an Airman is so much more than a paycheck. This is more than a job--it is a calling to serve something greater than oneself.

Q. What is your leadership philosophy?

A. Leadership is about relationships. The Air Force and leadership is a human endeavor, whether you are dealing with a small group, large group or an individual. You need trust first, and you build trust through communication, and that means lots of listening, insightful conversations, being believable and being in touch. Strong leadership is simply an extension of strong relationships. Without one the other will fail.

Q. What is the most important lesson you've learned that you are bringing with you to 24th AF?

A. Here are a few of the core beliefs that I have developed over my years in the Air Force. These beliefs form the foundation and framework for how I approach the mission and the Airmen that drive it:

-Understanding why we do what we do is essential and drives how well we do it.

-We are the absolute best in the world, but there is room for improvement.

-The outcome of big things is often the result of little things.

-For smart Airmen working as a team, nothing is impossible.

-We can change the Air Force one Airman at a time.

Q. What do the Airmen of the 24th need to do to be better Airmen?

A. If any of us thinks we have cyber all figured out we are wrong. This is a complicated mission and we are still a nascent industry. In order for us to keep our combat edge, the Airmen of 24th Air Force need to be the smartest, most innovative and most capable Airmen in the Air Force. Our mission demands it. In order to be at the top of our game, each of you need to be mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually resilient. Resiliency is not a program, it's personal and you all need to take stock of where you may have weakness. This is not something you can fix in hindsight.

Q. In your eyes, why are you qualified for this position?

A. This is a team sport and I'm a team player. I will do whatever my position avails me of to ensure the success of the team. Let me know where there are roadblocks to success and I will take them head-on.

Welcome, Chief Criswell, to 24th AF!