Keesler reserve wing 'installs' new command chief

by Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
403rd Wing Public Affairs

5/15/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- "You are charged to continue to perpetuate our traditions, our customs and our courtesies. From this day forward, we expect you to enhance the image and prestige of the noncommissioned officer corps."-- First paragraph of the Chief's Charge

Newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Christopher L. Barnby accepted his charge and the duties of 403rd Wing command chief master sergeant during a wing installment ceremony May 3.

More than 600 wing members attended the ceremony, the first of its kind for the Air Force Reserve unit, which served a dual purpose of promoting Barnby and introducing him to the wing.

"A command chief is an important position, just as important as a commander, so this ceremony served as an assumption of responsibility, officially installing Chief Barnby as our command chief in front of the wing," said Col. Frank L. Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander. The colonel got the idea while on a joint assignment. The Army holds change of responsibility ceremonies for its departing and incoming command sergeants major.

Chief Barnby, who was the first sergeant for the 908th Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, now serves as the principle advisor to the commander on matters of health, welfare and morale, professional development, good order and discipline, and the effective employment of the wing's 1,400 enlisted members.

"I'm honored and humbled to be selected for this position," said the new command chief. "Any time you are in a leadership position it's not about you, it's about the Airmen. And, just like me, a person can come in as an airman basic and rise to the challenge. An Airman's golden aspirations are based on the decisions they make. I want to empower our Airmen to make the right decisions, do the right things, and take ownership in this wing."

The event, similar to an assumption of command, started off with the chief's promotion followed by the reading of the Chief's Charge and concluded with the singing of the Air Force Song. The ceremony left a lasting impression on Chief Master Sgt. Leon E. Alexander, 908th Maintenance Squadron superintendent, who, along with other wing chief master sergeants, joined Chief Barnby on the stage to administer the Chief's Charge to the wing's newest enlisted leader.

"This is exactly what the entire command needs to put in place to introduce their command chiefs to their respective wings," he said. "To say it was the best enlisted recognition I've witnessed would be an understatement. The 403rd Wing left me awestruck. I was so overwhelmed with pride that I got choked up trying to read the charge."

"This is a different scope of responsibility, similar to a commander, so this installment ceremony raised the bar, and I thank Colonel Amodeo for giving me this opportunity to make a difference in this wing and the Air Force Reserve," Barnby added.

"I selected Chief Barnby because he is the right leader at the right time for me and our enlisted Airmen in the 403rd Wing. The least I could do was ensure he was introduced to the wing in a manner that affords this very important position the respect and honor it deserves," said the colonel.