New AFMC chiefs attend orientation

by Kim Bowden
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

2/13/2015 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio  -- The 34 newest chief master sergeants within Air Force Materiel Command gathered for a week-long orientation at the command's headquarters here earlier this month. The AFMC Chiefs' Orientation is held every year after the promotion selectee list is published.

"Chiefs' Orientation is essential to get these new chiefs the tools and information they need to lead at the top of the enlisted ranks," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, AFMC command chief. "It is critical that, as our senior enlisted leaders, these men and women are fully ingrained in and prepared for their new role."

One of the first sessions the new chiefs attended was a leadership perspective with Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC commander.

"I rely on the advice and counsel that I get each and every day from Chief Warner," she said. "That is the role that you all will play in your organizations -- you are an integral member of the leadership team. Your relationship with the commander is instrumental to mission success, because you bring a perspective the table that is invaluable."

Wolfenbarger also emphasized that, as representatives of their service, chiefs need to set the standard.

"Especially in these challenging times, we don't always have a choice about what happens," she said. "But we always have a choice about we react. Be positive, and be an example of what you want to see in others."

The orientation also included a session led by Warner himself, who encouraged the group to keep up the stellar work that led to their promotion to chief master sergeant.

"Continue to do the things that made you successful," he said. "Continue to be involved and engaged. Continue to be experts at your jobs; continue to make yourselves better; continue to be present."

Warner also said, though, that -- as chiefs -- they would have to broaden their perspective.

To help with the shift to strategic thinking, this year's orientation included several leadership perspectives, culminating with a session led by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody.

"It is a privilege and honor to put this uniform on every day, regardless of your rank. It is probably the ultimate privilege and honor to be able to do it as a chief master sergeant in our Air Force," Cody said. "Most of you operate at the tactical level every day -- the most important place in our Air Force, where the job gets done. And your leadership is critical at that level. But if you're going to lead as a chief master sergeant, you now need to make an effort to bridge where you are to aligning yourself strategically with your United States Air Force. You have to have an appreciation of where we're going."

The new chiefs took advantage of other orientation attendees to help them gain that appreciation. In addition to AFMC's center and wing command chiefs, who were present for the entire orientation and hosted breakout sessions, two guest mentors were in attendance -- retired Chief Master Sgt. James McCoy, the sixth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and retired Chief Master Sgt. Alan Usry, former NORTHCOM/NORAD Senior Enlisted Leader. The guest mentors were available throughout the week to answer general questions about the expectations that come with being a chief master sergeant.

The rest of the orientation included sessions covering different functional areas -- everything from a wing commanders panel, a legal perspective, a protocol session on customs and courtesies, and more.

"Some sessions are standard and included every year," said Warner. "For example, the first day always includes a mission brief, because some of the chiefs are new to the command and we like to familiarize the group with what AFMC does for the Air Force. We also have a session with the Chief of the Chiefs' Group every year, because assignments and personnel issues are handled differently for chiefs."

Other sessions at the orientation change each year, targeting current trends or issues within AFMC or the Air Force. This year, for example, included sessions on sexual assault prevention and response, special duties, professionalism and emotional intelligence.