AFMC Command News

New AFMC chiefs attend orientation

  • Published
  • By Kim Dawley
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The 33 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 important to help the senior enlisted leaders make a smooth transition to their new role," said Chief Master Sergeant Eric Jaren, AFMC command chief. "During the week the chiefs received carefully structured educational objectives designed to provide them the strategic-level vision needed to lead in the United States Air Force."

One of the first sessions the new chiefs attended was a Leadership Perspective with Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, AFMC vice commander.

"We count on you to be positive change leaders," Moore said. "You set the standard in your organizations, and you have the ability -- and the responsibility -- to turn challenges into opportunities."

The general encouraged the chiefs to be approachable, be loyal, and be healthy.

"Take care of yourselves," he said, "so you can pour yourselves into your troops."

Moore also stressed the importance of diversity, saying that good leaders surround themselves with people who view the world differently.

The rest of the Chiefs' Orientation included sessions covering different functional areas and perspectives -- everything from a First Sergeants panel, a Legal Perspective, a session on Customs and Courtesies, and more.

"Some sessions are standard and included every year," Jaren said. "For example, the first day always includes an AFMC mission brief, because some of the chiefs are new to the command. The chief of the Chiefs' Group was also here again this 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. One seminar, for example, included a discussion with a Total Force Command Chief panel, with command chiefs from the Guard, Reserves and active duty. Another session was a visit to the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, where the chiefs had lunch with the students and participated in an aero-medical evacuation exercise, where medical teams evacuated littered patients with a model C-130 aircraft trainer.

"The visit to USAFSAM was a big hit," Jaren said. "It left the chiefs with an extremely positive impression of the school, the quality of the accessions, and the quality of preparation to fulfill expeditionary taskings."

The orientation wrapped up with a Chief's Perspective session led by Jaren himself.

"I can attest that these superstars are indeed qualified to be in the top 1 percent," Jaren said. "The future of our Air Force is in great hands. I can't wait to see the impact they make!"