Airman shadows 95th ABW command chief

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  An Edwards Airman recently received the opportunity to shadow an Edwards command chief for a day. 

Airman 1st Class Michael Schoenwetter, a 95th Security Forces Squadron apprentice, took the role as honorary command chief as part of the new Shadow Program, implemented at Edwards by Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief. 

The Shadow Program was designed to let Airmen, who are assigned to the 95th Air Base Wing, have one-on-one interaction with the command chief. 

"I want to get our Airmen out of their functional area for a day and let them see what else goes on in the wing," Chief Lewis said. "I want them to see the big picture." 

Their first order of the day was reviewing the chief's daily calendar. 

"Our first stop in the morning was to visit a sergeant who was heading down range wearing the new Airmen Battle Uniforms," Chief Lewis said. 

Chief Lewis also had Airman Schoenwetter attend a meeting with Col. H. Brent Baker Sr., 95th ABW commander. 

"Attending meetings with the chief helped me better understand our leadership," Airman Schoenwetter said. "They have a very difficult job that only few can do." 

After the meeting, Chief Lewis and Airman Schoenwetter headed to base housing to talk about the waiting list for housing, as well as visited the Consolidated Dorm Management Office to discuss the issues concerning the dormitories. 

"After visiting all these places, I learned that Chief Lewis has a very difficult job," Airman Schoenwetter said. "Chief Lewis told me his primary goal at Edwards was to keep the Airmen happy, but what people don't know is there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make that happen. He has to deal with several budget issues and really has to go in-depth with certain issues." 

Airman Schoenwetter was also given the task of spending $5,000 towards the quality of life for Airmen on base. 

"I gave him this task to see what kind of things our Airmen would want if they were given this kind of money for their quality of life," Chief Lewis said. 

Chief Lewis also gave Airman Schoenwetter a Command Chief Coin to hand out to anyone on base who impressed him the most. 

"When I attended the First Term Airman's graduation with the chief, I was really impressed by Tech. Sgt. Tahesha German, (95th Medical Support Squadron referral management center noncommissioned officer in charge,) for speaking at the First Term Airman's Class," Airman Schoenwetter said. "Her speech stuck with me, so as honorary command chief, I presented her with a recognition coin." 

At the end of the day, Chief Lewis said he hopes Airman Schoenwetter had a better understanding of what leadership does on base. 

"He learned that some things don't happen as quickly as we would hope," Chief Lewis said. "Some programs and projects take time to get approved. I hope I showed Airman Schoenwetter that there is a lot more that goes on around this base than people think." 

Not only was the shadow program a good learning experience for Airman Schoenwetter, but Chief Lewis said he a got to learn a little himself. 

"I was able to find out about issues that are going on around base," Chief Lewis. "I really was able to learn a lot from Airman Schoenwetter." 

Chief Lewis said he started the program to have some more interaction with his Airmen. 

"I miss being a squadron chief, Chief Lewis said. "I miss that one-on one- interaction with my Airmen. Now that I am a command chief, I do not have that luxury of doing that as often, so by having this program, I get to have that again. It also reminds me where I came from." 

Chief Lewis said he will always try to be an "Airman's Chief."
 
Airman Schoenwetter said he had a blast spending the day with the chief. 

"I got to see several things I normally wouldn't have the opportunity of seeing in my normal job," Airman Schoenwetter said. "The chief seems to know everyone. Wherever we went, he knew Airmen by first name. He knew a little something about everyone." 

Airman Schoenwetter said Chief Lewis' job takes several years of experience, but he made it look simple. 

"I think the Shadow Program was a great idea to have here, and I feel very lucky to be the first one on base to participate in the program," Airman Schoenwetter said. "I think others should sign up." 

Chief Lewis said his other purpose for the program is to inspire younger Airmen to be something more and something better. 

"I really want Airmen to ask their first sergeants about the program and to participate in it," Chief Lewis said. "That doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Airmen who decide to participate in the program better come prepared to answer some tough questions. I expect a lot from my Airmen." 

Airman Schoenwetter said to be prepared to write down and take good notes. 

"He has a lot of knowledge for us young Airmen," Airman Schoenwetter said. "It's knowledge that I plan on taking with me throughout my Air Force career."