AMC Commander visits JBLM

by Master Sgt. Todd Wivell
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/31/2014 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Gen. Darren McDew, Air Mobility Command commander, and his wife, Evelyn, along with Chief Master Sgt. Victoria Gamble, AMC command chief, visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord July 23 through July 25.

This was the first time Gen. and Mrs. McDew visited JBLM since he took command of AMC May 5, 2014.

Different from past visits, the McDew's got a chance to see the joint base and not just McChord Field. "It is even more valuable for me to understand the connections with the U.S. Army here as well," said McDew.

Part of that extended joint base tour included a stop at the Lewis Main Stone Education Center where they were provided an overview of how the JBLM transition service pilot programs have exceeded the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act expectations in creating numerous apprenticeship programs to provide guaranteed post-service employment opportunities to transitioning service members.

"We run the premier transition assistance program in all of DoD," said Col. Tony Davit, JBLM deputy installation commander and 627th Air Base Group commander. "I wanted to show him how these pilot programs here at JBLM have exceeded the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act expectations."

Throughout his tour, Gen. McDew stopped to recognize some of the many outstanding performers of Team McChord.

"Airmen are who impress me the most when I conduct these tours," said McDew. "Every single Airman that your leadership put on my itinerary, every single Airman that I got a chance to engage with, either randomly or at the all-call, was very impressive.

"It goes to further cement the fact that we still have the best and brightest America has to offer in our United States Air Force."

A stop at any base is not complete unless it includes a visit with the civic leaders and community partners.

For this particular visit, the McDews enjoyed an informal evening event in which they had opportunity to interact with base and community leaders, an event which provided them insight into the strong relationship between JBLM and the surrounding communities.

"It's always good to come back to the Pacific Northwest," said McDew. "I feel as though I am coming home, there's just a familiar feel not only to the base but the community, a community that provides a rewarding experience to not only to me, but Evelyn too."

On his final day at JBLM, Gen. McDew hosted an all-call with the men and women of Team McChord.

He thanked everyone for what they do, and spoke about how Airmen need to be bold and courageous to make changes in today's Air Force. He encouraged innovation, spoke about continually fostering a culture of dignity and respect, and finally discussed future challenges we will face in the years ahead.

Speaking exclusively about transitioning out the service, the general spoke about some common advice he passes on to Airmen.

"I always have the same message to every Airman at the beginning, middle and end of their career," said McDew. "Find a way to become the best at your job that you can, continue to find a way to improve yourself so you are more valued added to your organization, and ultimately find a way that you can make better the people around you.

"If you do those, you are ready to make the transition when you and your family decide its right for you."

On a final note the general passed on how impressed he was with the leadership here at JBLM -- from the culture of dignity and respect, to the innovative culture they enable, to the level of interest JBLM leaders show in the welfare of their service members and their families.

"It is an impressive environment and I just hope the Airmen who are here on their first assignment understand how truly blessed they are to have the leadership they have here today."