Edwards Airman to become next AFMC command chief

  • Published
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Air Base Wing command chief will soon helm the top enlisted rank for Air Force Materiel Command.

Chief Master Sgt. Eric R. Jaren, the Wing's command chief, becomes the eighth AFMC command chief since the major command activated the rank in 1992.

"I am truly honored to be chosen for this important job," Chief Jaren said. "Our enlisted members help form the backbone of our command and our Air Force. I look forward to advising command leadership on ways to develop, train and focus our enlisted corps to execute today's mission and better prepare for tomorrow's mission."

As the command chief, he will advise the commander and senior staff on matters concerning effective use, training, education and readiness of AFMC's 13,000 enlisted Airmen. He said his priorities will include readiness, development and family.

"AFMC not only controls a critical nuclear enterprise, but we deliver game-changing war capabilities and deploy war fighters to support the efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other hot spots around the world," Chief Jaren said. "I want to ensure our Airmen are fully trained, equipped and prepared to perform their duties whether in garrison or while deployed. Second is development. I routinely hear about doing more with less. We need to ensure our Airmen have the best training, instruction and education to streamline practices to make the most out of what we have.

"We can't forget our families either. Each of my reenlistments was a family decision because it required a commitment from my entire family. To that end, we need to ensure our families are cared for, especially while maintaining support for the ongoing wartime operations tempo."

Chief Jaren has served as the command chief for the Air Force Flight Test Center and 95th ABW since August 2008. He said his top accomplishments during his time at Edwards include helping build bridges, forging relationships and encouraging everyone to work together.

"I was very proud to see the combined efforts of our Center, wings and tenant units during the unit compliance and operational readiness inspections, and several other tough challenges encountered by Edwards this year," Chief Jaren said. "The base really came together. We also worked together to improve our processes and integrate best practices into our daily routines. By working together, we have created a culture of trust and cooperation which I believe will stand the test of time."

According to him, he will miss the people most at Edwards.

"This remote location draws people closer together," Chief Jaren said. "Edwards is a very big base with a small town attitude. It has been a wonderful assignment for Laura and me. We have formed many lifelong relationships, and we are going to miss our friends, neighbors and the community."

A native of Fort Meade, Md., Chief Jaren entered the Air Force in 1982. He has served at the unit, squadron, group, wing and numbered air force levels. He has experience in a variety of duties and is a veteran of 19 contingencies, major exercises and deployments, including operations Desert Storm, Restore Hope, Support Hope, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is the recipient of multiple awards and decorations and holds a bachelor's degree in management and psychology.

He said he attributes some of his leadership tenets to retired Master Sgts. Robert Finley and Gerald McCardell and retired Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Jones.

"Sergeant Finley was an incredibly dedicated, committed and caring supervisor who exemplified our Air Force Core Values long before they were dubbed so," Chief Jaren said. "By role modeling what it meant to be an Airman, Sergeant Finley put Airman Jaren on the right track. Master Sgt. Gerald McCardell saw potential and persuaded me to change my path. At his retirement I tried to thank him for everything he had done, but he cut me off saying, 'Don't thank me. Just make sure you take care of your troops the same way.' I never forgot."

Additionally, Chief Jones demonstrated the tenacity and persistence needed to be a chief, but also showed Chief Jaren when to push and when to yield.

"His guidance, even after I transferred to another unit, made an indelible impact on my career," Chief Jaren said.

He said he is looking forward to working with Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, and the rest of the headquarters staff.

"AFMC is a unique enterprise filled with talented and dedicated 'CEOs,' civilians, enlisted and officers," Chief Jaren said. "Having the opportunity to travel around the different AFMC bases to see their amazing contributions and to hear and address the concerns will be very rewarding. I can't wait to get started!"

(Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs contributed to this story)