Commentary - 'I have arrived!'

News > Commentary - 'I have arrived!'

'I have arrived!'

Posted 5/17/2011

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Commentary by Chief Master Sgt. LuAnn Gaylor
355th Mission Support Group

5/17/2011 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- When I made staff sergeant, I thought, "This is it! I have arrived!"

My ego was quickly squashed when my supervisor informed me that not only was I going to continue the duties I was already performing, but now I also was getting three Airmen to supervise, mentor and lead.

After several years of studying and working hard, I moved on to the next level. When I made master sergeant and joined the senior NCO ranks, I thought, "Certainly this is it. I was shown the secret handshake. I have arrived!"

Once again, reality slapped me up alongside the head when I realized I had even more people to supervise, I was responsible for the smooth operation of the section, and I needed to step up my community service, self-improvement and base involvement if I wanted to get promoted again.

A few more years passed, and I thought I was a lot wiser. I had the graying hair and subtle wrinkles to prove it. When I made chief master sergeant, I thought, "Holy smoke! I'm finally a chief! I'll get a special parking spot, take long lunch hours, play golf every Friday, and I won't need to do anything extra because I'm not going to make 'E-10.' Surely, I have arrived!"

The truth is I haven't arrived. I've just begun. If I want to make this Air Force better for those who come after me and want my Air Force -- our Air Force -- to continue to be the best, most feared air force in the world, then I have to show our future leaders and the American public that it's not okay to sit back on my laurels and it's not okay to abuse the stripes I have the privilege of wearing. If I believe in our core values and don't want to become the epitome of the old adage, "Do as I say, not as I do," or one of those ROAD (retired on active duty) sergeants, then I need to:

-- Take responsibility not only when things go right, but especially when they go wrong
-- Continue with my off-duty education, because knowledge is power
-- Volunteer within my unit, base and community
-- Identify problems and have possible solutions on the ready for my superiors
-- Lead from in front of my desk, not behind it and the email I send
-- Support all Airmen through events such as graduations, promotion ceremonies and retirement ceremonies, regardless of whether or not I have a personal relationship with the stars of the show
-- Pick up that piece of trash in the parking lot that so many have just walked by or on
-- Always exceed the standards and not be afraid of hurting someone's feelings or being the bad guy when correcting others

In one form or another, these things have been a part of every creed we have ever had. The list could go on and on.

Do I want to make "E-10?" Of course I do. And I want to not only earn my paycheck, but hopefully, just hopefully, when the time comes to close this chapter in my life, I will be able to look in the mirror and say I gave it my all and I made a difference in some Airman's life.

No, I haven't arrived. Have you?

Comments

6/5/2011 6:28:19 PM ET
The Chief is simply saying that as leaders we never arrive and have to keep pressing and never rest -- and she's right.

Chief H, AZ

5/26/2011 3:43:29 PM ET
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Chief. Although I don't agree with everything you say, it is very important to know where each of us are coming from. Good commentary.

MSgt Wills, Robins AFB

5/25/2011 7:38:01 PM ET
While I hope that it is far from the actuality of your career, all I see up until the gems of wisdom is a whole lot of me, me, me. I found this point accentuated with the revelation that as an E-9 you now need to have this involvement. If all that you are striving for is to reach that next rank to arrive, you're doing it wrong.

Orpheus13, Planet Cannon

5/23/2011 8:35:49 PM ET
Let me tell you how much civilian employers value community service. I was in a managerial position at a company after retiring from the AF. Volunteered to put on a blood drive at the firm; did many in the AF. Come the day of the blood drive I make sure things are set up and going. Later that day I am laid off and shown the door, out by noon. Never knew how the blood drive turned out. Civilian employers don't care about volunteering or community service. If they can save money by canning you, out you go.

Otis R. Needleman, USA

5/23/2011 2:14:20 PM ET
It takes one day out of 365 to get a bullet for community involvement. Some community involvement requires a bit more activity so there may be a couple hours here and there during the duty day followed by one or two days of activity during your off-duty time. Some volunteer activities are family friendly which means you can take your kids along to help out. And some of the volunteer opportunities are actually fun. In my estimation though this article wasn't about volunteering. It was about continuing to be a good leader no matter how high up you make it. If you want to stop at E-5 fine but be the best E-5 you can. If you want to make E-9 fine but be the best you can be all the way up. No one said to forego your family. No Chief would tell you that your family is less important than your promotion. So loosen the grip on the volunteerism portion of this message and walk away knowing that the Chief said be the best you can be.

Shawn, Randolph

5/23/2011 1:59:09 PM ET
Chief, thank you for sharing good pointers towards a healthy career path. I'm surprised at the resistance by some to the commentary. Giving back to the community that supports you is only the right thing to do. Volunteering is premised of giving back, not on promotion. Bettering yourself through off-duty education is not mandatory but you should ask yourself who really benefits from it In the long run. It'll be you and your family. My take away from this commentary is that it is centered on the person, not promotion. We have to see past that next stripe, strive to better ourselves, and promotion will take care of itself. If we can't set some time aside to better ourselves, well we probably have bigger issues.

ddub, TX

5/23/2011 11:30:00 AM ET
About 15 years ago the AF decided that it no longer cared if you could do your actual job anymore. They just wanted people who looked good in uniform, were fit, and spent time away from work doing community service, AKA the whole person concept. This concept is a failure that started with the bike test and ended with the failures of the nuclear enterprise. AF members look great on paper but can't do their jobs because they spend all their time out trying to win awards to get promoted. I used to love it when I had an award hound volunteer of the year in my duty section because he was so easy to get rid of because everyone wants the superstar troop until they find out that he is never at work and when he is, he doesn't know how to do his job. Nothing ever changes.

S. Olchin, Queens NY

5/20/2011 11:46:51 PM ET
There are Chiefs and there are E-9s. I have fortunately known more Chiefs than E-9s. Chiefs take care of their Airmen. Maybe that could be another bullet point, or maybe it just sums up all of them. E-9s are careerists, but they are great on paper and boards. One will fall on their sword, the other is probably the one making the poor decision in the first place. There are a few of both. Unfortunately, there are many SNCOs working hard to make Chief with the careerist mindset who do nothing to take care of the people around them, except the bullet points. They may not and probably won't make Chief, but the damage is done.

Steve, USA

5/20/2011 11:45:49 PM ET
Interesting comments. The downside is we have many McPeak era SNCOs who attend all of the professional organizations and make sure their name is known to those above them, yet do not know their AFSC, Airmen's issues or what happens when they are not around. Too many of these professional organizations have lost the impact they once had on their base/community. How often are they heard from outside of award ceremonies? A shame on the "strawman" it has become.

D, MDL

5/20/2011 4:44:03 PM ET
See, that's the thing; doing stuff to get those boxes checked doesn't mean you're a leader. Think of all the E-8s and E-9s you know. Have you ever wondered how the heck some of them got there? It's because they checked the boxes and that's it. I know true leaders at E-6 and E-7 who, due to lack of preparation, poor testing or not checking the boxes, retire at that level. All I know is when a current or former coworker makes a point to contact me to say thanks, that's when I know I'm doing the right things, whether it gets boxes checked or not.

MM, FL

5/20/2011 2:10:47 PM ET
Confused SWA: I think you missed the point, as well as contradicted yourself. CMSgt S Scott AFB is dead on in defining such expectations as development. The Air Force, and a majority of civilian companies, wants to see a whole-person concept. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it is part of your development while maintaining your strengths to also improve on your weaknesses. Yes, it is extra work, but that's what makes you competitive in today's job market. The goal is to show that you are a well-balanced and versed individual who is ready and capable to assume the responsibilities that come with the next rank.

Steve, Tampa

5/20/2011 12:20:10 PM ET
"E-10" is a made up paygrade for the CMSAF. It doesn't actually exist. I've always believed that military service, civilian careers or whatever are about 75 percent what you the individual makes of them. There is always that 25 percent or so out of your control. When I was in the military, I was never forced to do community service or other volunteer work. However, it was very clear to me that if I wanted to get that BTZ stripe or get into OTS when the competition was high, I needed to stratify myself above others who were competing. Make no mistake, if you seek to make your way into the upper ranks, you are competing directly against other Airmen for promotion. If you don't care to make it to that level, then don't do anything to stratify yourself. However, if you choose that path, don't complain later when you're retiring in a lower paygrade.

Chris Kimball, Louisiana

5/20/2011 11:34:04 AM ET
In the AF, if an Airman goes home after work and throws a baseball around with their kids it's called slacking. However, if an Airman decides to forgo family time to teach others how to throw a baseball and scribe this activity in bullet format on an awards package for all of the world to see, it's called being a role model, community pillar number 112, etc.The latter is good for a year, maybe two tops, but the slacking pays dividends for a lifetime.

J.T., Destin FL

5/20/2011 10:57:24 AM ET
Good stuff. As an A1C, these are words of wisdom for me.

Jose Hernandez, Minot AFB

5/20/2011 10:01:17 AM ET
I actually do all eight things on her list and, as I said in my initial comment, I like the commentary. I've seen the stratification for the unit, so I know my standing, and lets just say there's little room to get any higher. I've won awards, I've been by-name acknowledged by base and MAJCOM leaders, I have more than the required education, I'm award winning at all levels of PME, I retrained into a chronic critical career field to help the AF, I've led troops on outside-the-wire missions, and I do lots of volunteer work. But if I don't organize the wing picnic or join some organization, I don't get a great board score? That's the problem.

MM, FL

5/19/2011 7:56:13 PM ET
It is disturbing that you say I needed to step up my community service, self-improvement and base involvement if I wanted to get promoted again. I have been thinking that job knowledge, performance and leadership abilities were how you got promoted. It turns out that I need to spend my four to six months at home volunteering outside of my primary duties instead of catching up on the work left behind while deployed, spinning up for my next deployment training and spending time with my family. On a positive note, the leadership guidelines at the end of your article are spot on, and I commend you for that, chief. Unfortunately, many people will latch on to doing what it takes to get that next promotion and not observing that very leadership guidance.

Confused, SWA

5/19/2011 4:21:47 PM ET
Some of these comments really make me wonder about humanity. Too much emphasis focused on bettering your communities? Did you stop to think that you may want to instill some qualities in your children to be a little selfless every once in a while? I think a volunteer opportunity could be a good way to spend some family time. Unfortunately, the AF cannot make people change their rotten attitudes. That's something you have to do on your own. Until then, if you want to get that box checked off, the AF will force you to at least look like a better citizen.

SSgt Mills, Maxwell AFB

5/19/2011 4:17:08 PM ET
Being in the AF is not working at McDonald's. Your average civilian will most likely not have to ask a subordinate to defuse an IED or go out on a convoy from which he or she may not return. Yes, you do need community activities and base involvement to get promoted, along with furthering your education and training and attending PME. It is called development. We develop our Airmen so they will gain the necessary skills to become good NCOs and SNCOs capable of leading their Airmen during daily operations, as well as through wartime situations. It's not just about doing your job. It's about becoming a leader.

CMSgt S, Scott AFB

5/19/2011 3:43:47 PM ET
PB: Calling MM a SNCO is disrespectful to actual SNCOs. If someone doesn't like being called out, then they shouldn't suck. I'm sorry if the operations tempo has been rough for the past ten years. I think we have been fighting some wars for ... oh, I don't know ... about the past ten years. If they don't like it, then don't do it. It's that easy.

SSgt C, Hill AFB

5/19/2011 3:36:54 PM ET
What is an "E-10"?

Jason B, Texas

5/19/2011 11:20:44 AM ET
MM makes a great point. The Air Force should be about the mission -- defending the Constitution, executing the orders of the president, protecting good guys, killing bad guys and breaking their stuff, etc. But there is way too much focus on the bake sales and extracurricular stuff, because everyone needs the bullets to get promoted. The people who become expert at the mission are pulling long hours to pick up the slack of those who are more concerned about making a difference than fulfilling their primary duties. It's a systemic problem.

Sgt Whoever, Conus

5/19/2011 11:00:47 AM ET
SSgt C: I would argue that people who blatantly disrespect senior NCOs are more of a problem than people who are fed up with the ops tempo we've seen in the last 10 years. But maybe that's just me.

PB, US

5/19/2011 10:53:34 AM ET
Chief, I applaud your desire for the Air Force to continue to be the best, most feared air force in the world by making sure I wear my reflective belt in a combat zone and ensuring my unloaded weapon is on my PT gear so I can eat while in a combat zone. If you really want to make the Air Force a better place, let's focus on combat effectiveness instead of planning the next squadron picnic that nobody wants to go to.

Jaded, Long Gone

5/19/2011 10:51:15 AM ET
I absolutely love this article and agree with Spence Olchin. This is the type of NCO/SNCO I want/strive to be. Luckily, I work for SNCOs who have a mentality like CMSgt Gaylor. @GH Texas: As KR Sheppard AFB stated, it would be difficult to write about personal experience without using "I."

Adams, San Antonio

5/19/2011 9:26:24 AM ET
See people like GH are the reason Air Force is a not taken seriously. An article about personal experience and career advice was written and shared and all GH can say was I was used 48 times. You missed the point. We Airmen should acknowledge changes support our leadership and most of all have PRIDE. I'm tired of fellow airmenAD or Ret complaining and talking down about everything. Air Force is still evolving and even after nearly 50 years of existence still trying to find our own identity. We can voice our opinion. That's our right and we should have our say, but my goodness we just blast ideas and turn our back to changes without giving it a chance. I've been in 10 yrs and yes I understand thats nothing compared to some of you who frequently comments on this website, but uniform changes never affected me PT standards never affected me budgets and buying airplanes never affected me. Ok I know I went off topic but my main point especially to you GH there are other things.

TK, Hurlburt Field

5/19/2011 5:27:29 AM ET
SSgt C Spoken like a true leader You and people like you are what is right with our Air Force. You give us hope that when we leave our Airmen will be in good hands of leaders who lead vs complain. I for one am extremely proud of you Keep being the example.

SMSgt S, Europe

5/19/2011 1:11:58 AM ET
I appreciate what the Chief is saying. We should all strive to improve ourselves everyday. However I'd be cautious with the I'll never arrive mindset. If you spend your life chasing what could be and forget to appreciate what you have already accomplished you may find yourself disenchanted with how much you've missed over the years. The old adage of 'stop and smell the roses' is timeless advice.

CKJ, SWA

5/18/2011 9:16:11 PM ET
MM and Retired I hear you. There should be FAR less emphasis on volunteering and community service. Yeah one has to volunteer enough to get the block checked but not at the cost of the family because the family is forever and after one retires one is pretty much forgotten by the AF. One volunteers to join the AF and one doesn't just serve the community but one serves the nation. However the AF wasn't just a job for me but a profession.

Otis R. Needleman, USA

5/18/2011 5:34:17 PM ET
@SSgt C you'll understand better when you get higher in rank and you can use the thesaurus to call this whatever you want it all means the same. I support my squadron at functions intramural sports ceremonies I do volunteer work that I actually volunteer for but when you get higher in rank there's these little boxes they want to check which require even more of the preceding. That's what I refuse to do. After retraining out of a 11 dwell career field I take every advantage I can of being with my family and if that means I don't get promoted so be it.

MM, FL

5/18/2011 4:51:50 PM ET
@GH Texas: Did you really count all the "I"s in the article? Did you read the article, or just count some vowels? I think it would be difficult to write about personal experience without using "I." Whether you agree or disagree with the point of the article, it seems ridiculous to be so petty and nitpicky.

KR, Sheppard AFB

5/18/2011 4:05:56 PM ET
MM, you're right about family being important, but you are dead wrong about this just being a "job." The Air Force is so much more than that. If you want a job, you should be working at Sonic. Your level of dedication, leadership and professionalism would be just fine there. You and people like you are what' wrong with the Air Force. You will take and take, but when it comes to give back, you don't. It is sad that you not only feel like that, but you seem proud to share it.

SSgt C, Hill AFB

5/18/2011 3:43:49 PM ET
To answer your question, yes, I arrived in 2008 when I retired and returned to a normal way of life. This should be mandatory reading for SNCOs.

Spence Olchin, Peterson AFB

5/18/2011 3:35:26 PM ET
MM in Fl: Just wait, because it gets a whole lot better. In the civilian world they do not care how many car washes or picnics you have attended or set up. You won't be called into the office to explain why one of your subordinates did a rolling stop at the stop sign or has not been paying their bills. Babysitting and extracurricular activities don't exist. You do your job, and then you go home for the day. You get pay raises and promoted based on how well you perform your job, not by how many car washes you have attended. Unless, of course, you go civil service. Then the games continue to be played.

Retired, Ohio

5/18/2011 2:30:18 PM ET
I used 48 times. WOW. Says a lot.

GH, Texas

5/18/2011 2:06:55 PM ET
Great stuff.

Karl S., Camp Arifjan

5/18/2011 10:37:51 AM ET
I clicked on the link after reading the title thinking it was about the repeal of DADT. Anyway, I liked the commentary, and it serves as a reminder as to why I'll never be promoted past my current rank. I refuse to give up any more time for volunteering, community service or base involvement than I already do. I want my wife and five kids to still be around and like me when this gig is up in five years, so I spend that time with them. A choice I freely and gladly make at the cost of promotion to E-8. This job ends in five years and another job will begin anew, but my family is forever.

MM, FL

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