Command chiefs hold panel discussion

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Chief Master Sgt. Stanley Cadell, the command chief for Air Force Materiel Command, as well as command chiefs from other AFMC units, held a panel discussion covering a wide array of topics at the Minuteman Commons here July 30.

Cadell opened by discussing the future of the Air Force and AFMC.

“The Air Force We Need initiative is looking at science and technology and the National Defense Strategy,” he said. “What do we need to look like in 20 years to face our adversaries?”

He added that AFMC has a similar initiative, called AFMC We Need, that empowers personnel enterprise-wide to help shape the future of the command.

The panel, moderated by Hanscom Command Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes, fielded questions from attendees about topics including the Developmental Special Duty process. The DSD program encourages commanders to nominate enlisted Airmen with a record of exceptional performance and a high capacity to lead.

“Throughout my career, the time I have grown the most was when a supervisor challenged me to do something I wasn’t comfortable doing,” Cadell said. “I challenge supervisors to look for Airmen who can do these developmental special duties.”

Chief Master Sgt. Troie Croft, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center command chief, encouraged Airmen to focus on performance.

“Whatever the Air Force asks you to do, be the best at it,” he said. “If Airmen get focused only on rank, position and titles, they may find that very disappointing.”

The command chief of the 88th Air Base Wing command chief at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, agreed.

“The DSD process is not just about filling gaps; it’s making sure we have the right people doing the right jobs for our United States Air Force,” said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Arbona.

Other topics discussed included the Air Force’s environmental impact.

“The Air Force is looking at the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base [in Florida] for how we make the base of the future,” Croft said. “How do we make Tyndall more energy-sustainable so that we decrease our footprint on the environment?”

The command’s senior enlisted member highlighted the many energy initiatives he sees at AFMC bases.

“There are lots of efforts throughout the command to reduce the amount of energy we consume,” Cadell said.

He discussed Hanscom’s new dorm as a local example and windmill and solar farms at other installations.

During the two-day visit to the base and the area, the chiefs toured Hanscom’s enlisted dorm and had immersion visits with each of the program executive offices, 66th Air Base Group, AFLCMC Detachment 7 and Detachment 12 in Boston.

Many of the units at Hanscom fall under AFLCMC.

“When we talk about the Air Force We Need, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center builds the Air Force we need,” said Croft. “LCMC’s role is to acquire technology and bring it into the force and help support it during the entire life cycle of that weapon system.”

Each of the chiefs closed the panel discussion by expressing gratitude and encouraging the attendees to be change agents.

“Thank you for what you do for our command and our Air Force,” Cadell said. “If there are things that don’t make sense to you, bring those up and let us go after them for you.”

Air Force Research Laboratory Command Chief Master Sgt. Kennon Arnold also participated and echoed many of the thoughts expressed by others, noting that the Air Force’s future depends on the ingenuity of the enlisted force.