Rambo still provides wisdom to Edwards Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Hernandez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
He doesn't carry a huge knife or an M60 machine gun that never runs out of ammunition, but this Rambo can still show someone how to get by in life. 

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Rambo held a mentoring session at the Justin Conference Room here on Feb. 23 to pass on his own words of wisdom to Edwards Airmen. 

"When I was stationed at Lakenheath (Royal Air Force Base), Chief Rambo was known as the 'Airmen's Chief,'" said Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief. "He was one of the only chiefs to visit Airmen at the First Term Airmen Center, Airmen Leadership School and the base dormitories. Even though he was the 48th Maintenance Group chief, Airmen all over the base flocked to him and would say 'He's my chief.'" 

During the mentoring session, Chief Rambo talked about several different subjects including personal education, professional attitudes, and military life. Talking about education, Chief Rambo said Airmen should take advantage of their education opportunities. 

"Airmen should be thinking about 20 years down the road," he said. "If an Airman gets out of the military without an education, it's likely that only minimum wage jobs will be available to them." 

The military has many challenges and overcoming them requires a positive outlook, Chief Rambo said. 

"Airmen should also grab the opportunities of overseas stations," Chief Rambo said.
Airmen should also have the right perspective when performing duties such as operational readiness exercises and inspections. 

"It's important to keep in mind that the Air Force trains people how to do the right thing when the time comes," he said. "Without inspections, our bases would be falling apart. We should always take the time do it right the first time and remember our Career Development Courses. Airmen should also read their Airman's Manual and Air Force Instructions." 

When the time comes, Airmen have to make the decision of staying in the Air Force or moving on, Chief Rambo said. 

"If you like the Air Force, then re-enlist," Chief Rambo said. "If you don't like being in the Air Force and choose to get out, prepare yourself at least a year in advance."