AFMC Command News

AFMC executive director officiates husband's promotion

  • Published
  • By Kathleen A.K. Lopez
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  She's the third highest-ranking person and most senior civilian in Air Force Materiel Command. She estimates having officiated more than 100 civilian and military promotion ceremonies, including about two dozen to the rank of colonel.

However, none have been quite like the promotion she officiated July 28.

That was the day Barbara A. Westgate, AFMC executive director, promoted her husband, Lt. Col. Charles J. Westgate III, to the rank of colonel, in what is believed to be the only such promotion of its kind to date in the Air Force.

Colonel Westgate is the deputy director of the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group, here.

A member of the Senior Executive Service, Mrs. Westgate is the civilian equivalent of a three-star general.

"When Charlie asked me to do this I was unbelievably surprised and honored," Mrs. Westgate said. "I'm an out-of-the box thinker, but I had never even thought about officiating until he asked me. It was just exciting. I'm just so proud of him and so proud to be able to do this."

"Barbara is my best friend, my mentor," Colonel Westgate said. "Always a boss, never a subordinate," he joked.

"In the 18 years we've been married, I've put her through a lot of assignment moves, deployments, geographical separations... nothing I can give, do or say is enough to make up for everything she's done for me. To have her promote me to colonel is just very special to me," he said.

It wasn't the easiest promotion Mrs. Westgate had ever done.

"Many times, a boss may officiate over a promotion and know a few interesting or eclectic things that have happened at work," she said. "But, I know everything about Charlie!"

Except, she said, when she recognized that because of the geographical separations they have endured for 11 of their 18 years of marriage she had to rely on the colonel's career brief, also referred to as a SURF, to help recall the order of some of the positions he has held, be they in the states, Korea or Iraq.

"There are lots of ways to conduct a promotion ceremony," Mrs. Westgate said. "I don't like to read career briefs. I like ceremonies to be very personal."

Mrs. Westgate explained that while it is not completely commonplace to have a civilian officiate over an enlisted or officer promotion, it still surprises her when people are unaware of the concept.

"This is what it means to embrace the concept of interchangeable leadership," she said. "There seems to be a mindset that only a senior military officer presides over every promotion ceremony. 

"Actually, I've been doing them for years. There are many, many civilians who are qualified to do the same."
Mrs. Westgate, who advises Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, on the development of the AFMC civilian work force, laments the lack of promotion ceremonies for the civilian population.

"There is no ceremony; no repeated oath of office," she said. "A promotion is not only recognition of what a person has done, but it also recognizes future potential. Recognition of promotions is important."

The Westgates first met in 1984, where they both worked at the former Electronic Warfare Systems Program Office, here. They were friends three years before they began dating, and married a year later. A lack of civilian positions where Colonel Westgate was assigned often kept them communicating long-distance.

"We had a solid foundation from the start," Mrs. Westgate said. "Being a little older and being friends first has enabled us to grow together rather than grow separately in different directions. Whether our assignments have been co-located or apart, constant communication has been our guide."

As for any future family promotions or reassignments, Mrs. Westgate is looking forward to her daughter, Beth's, next promotion as an Air Force Office of Special Investigation agent. Otherwise, the Westgates simply intend to enjoy this current accomplishment while living with their best friend under the same roof.