Air Force Medical Service's first 'Sergeant Major' to be honored

  • Published
  • By G.W. Pomeroy
  • Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The late Chief Master Sgt. Raymond T. Smith once told a reporter: "The Vietnam conflict has brought the services closer together. We've got to keep it that way."

When he made that remark in 1970, he was serving as the first enlisted senior NCO for the entire Air Force Medical Service. So new was his position that he was officially called "Sergeant Major of the AFMS."

His belief about jointness, however, wasn't some conjured-up Pentagon company line that he touted. It was an observation that was self-instilled through a 30-year active duty military career that began in the Army in 1941, transferred to the Air Force in 1949 and carried through to his retirement in 1971 and beyond.

The people who bestow names upon buildings and such in the military services undoubtedly noticed this when they chose to name one of the new Medical Enlisted Training Campus's three main instructional facilities in honor of Smith, who passed away Aug. 17, 2010, at age 90.

And that they will do in a formal tri-service opening ceremony at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Aug. 12. The Tri-Service campus, with more than 30 medical programs, and 24,000 annual graduates, is a state-of-the-art Defense Department healthcare education campus that will train enlisted medical personnel

"It's my privilege to carry on the tradition set by Chief Smith over four decades ago," said Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Cole, who holds the position once held by Smith, only now it is known as Chief, Medical Enlisted Force.

"His visionary leadership and dedication to improving the Air Force Medical Service Enlisted Corps set the tone for all medics to strive for," he said. "It was a logical, easy choice to nominate the naming of the METC instructional facility in his honor given his foundational efforts that set us on the path of success that tens of thousands of have now walked down. He was truly a giant, an exceptional leader in the AFMS."

Many of Smith's recommendations and initiatives formed the foundation of the technical, accredited, certified and Community College of the Air Force credit-awarding courses that Air Force enlisted medics benefit from today.

Some of his recommendations came about during extensive global travels, especially in Southeast Asia, when he followed the one word instruction of the man who appointed him to the position, the late Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Kenneth E. Pletcher, Air Force surgeon general from Dec 1967 to April 1970.

"Listen," he was told.

Some came about while he participated in a Health Manpower Utilization Study Group at the Air Force surgeon general level during his tenure on the Air Staff. As the sole enlisted member, he advocated for and received approval on recommendations designed to benefit trainees, improve recruiting and retention, and increase the value and usefulness of technicians to the AFMS and civilian community when Airmen left the service.

Among these was one that should be familiar to all enlisted Airmen medics: Medical training programs should be tailored to permit certification or licensure by the appropriate agency.

But Smith's vision wasn't parochial. He was about people, whether they were medics or not. One can only guess how many he actually helped in any number of ways. It's not uncommon, while perusing old clippings about him or letters to him, to see words like "compassionate," "mentor," "invaluable" "calm assurance," and "kind."

One letter to him was written by a 1966 Air Force Academy graduate, 2nd Lt. James R. Luders, who, in March 1971, was assigned to the 1100th Material Squadron at Bolling AFB, D.C. The young officer wanted very badly to fly for the Air Force, a dream that wasn't to be.

Dated March 8, 1971, and on official Air Force Headquarters letterhead, here is the letter in its entirety:

"Dear Sergeant Smith:
I feel very fortunate to have met a gentleman such as yourself that has taken such a personal interest in my ambition to fly for the Air Force. At present the outcome of my fourth attempt is still not known, but one thing is known. I have had your sincere and dedicated help. You have renewed my dream once more. You have given me faith in my belief that people in the higher offices of our Air Force do care about the individual. I salute and thank you heartily for the chance to have known a person such as yourself. Best wishes for the coming years."

Luders would stay in the Air Force for five years. He ended up attending medical school and still practices family medicine in California. Asked about the letter penned 40 years ago, Luders said he was astonished that it was found among the chief's papers.

"I can't remember all the circumstances but he must have been very helpful, otherwise I would not have written it," Luders said in a phone interview.

In a ceremony in San Antonio this week, members of the military services will say "Thanks" as well.