Command chief speaks directly to base Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anne Gathua
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The base theater was filled with Airmen from all enlisted ranks eager to hear what their command chief master sergeant had in store for them May 20. This was the 17th Training Wing Enlisted Call.

"Thank you all for coming," said Chief Master Sergeant Fredrick Ricker, 17th Training Wing command chief master sergeant. Chief Ricker said the Enlisted Call is a forum for senior enlisted leaders to communicate directly with the Airmen so they can have a better understanding of the commander's intent, his policies and vision.

"This forum allows leaders to share information and speak directly to the Airmen," said Chief Ricker. "It's a way to disseminate information and translate it properly and it allows the Airmen to have a forum to ask questions as to what's happening on base, in the Air Force and the world at large. It's also a different way to get the information out instead of sending out emails all the time. This is part of what we call analog leadership where we get in front of the Airmen and have a conversation with them."

Chief Ricker covered a myriad of topics including fitness, finance, retraining and leadership and urged supervisors to effectively communicate with their subordinates about what to expect during their Air Force career.

"Supervisors should give their subordinates true honest feedback with regards to promotion potential, educational and job opportunities," said Chief Ricker. "We need to let them know what the real playing field is so they don't end up disgruntled if something doesn't go their way."

Chief Ricker said the average enlisted person retires at the rank of master sergeant and this is information that supervisors should pass on to their subordinates early on in their career.

"Twenty years as a master sergeant is an honorable career but some people look at it as a failure because they didn't make it to E8," said Chief Ricker. "This is not the case. We should let them know that retiring as a master sergeant is ok as long as they gave their best."

As concerns awards and decorations, Chief Ricker said sometimes Airmen had false hopes and expectations.

"I want all Airmen to know that there are many factors that are considered before someone is given an award or decoration," said Chief Ricker. "We don't just give awards. You have to earn those awards based on your performance."

"This is what we call sustained superior performance here at the 17th Training Wing," Chief Ricker said. "A higher rank means a higher scope and level of responsibility which normally translates into a higher level of award, but there are always exceptions."

Chief Ricker also reminded Airmen that the guard and reserve were full-fledged members of the enlisted corps.

"We should all understand that though we are three different components we are part of the same team," he said.

On retraining, Chief Ricker said this was a sensitive topic for him because he had seen Airmen's careers end because they never reached out or were not appropriately briefed on retraining opportunities thus they failed to educate themselves on those possibilities.

"It's important that young Airmen understand the retraining opportunities available," said Chief Ricker. "The Air Force will take you from your current career field and train you up fully into another totally different career field. This helps expand your horizons and improves your skill sets which eventually makes you a better Airman."

The Air Force provides retraining opportunities to create a balance in different career fields, he added.

Chief Ricker said leadership was everyone's calling and it was important for all Airmen to understand that and embrace the fact that they may be called upon at times to be leaders.

"Anyone can be a leader," commented the chief. "It doesn't matter if you are an airman basic or a chief master sergeant. It is important to understand leadership and the roles and responsibilities of being a leader."

Chief Ricker said discipline was the cornerstone of the enlisted corps.

"Discipline is understanding that we have our rule sets and we can't just violate them. If you do, there are consequences and repercussions. That is how we maintain good order and discipline."

As concerns disciplinary cases, Chief Ricker said we have to make sure we are fair about how we handle them. Before we discharge an Airman, we have to look at the whole package and make sure we use all available resources to rehabilitate the individual and get them back to the norms of what is expected unless what they did was so egregious that there's no way out, he added.

Chief Ricker also urged subordinates to communicate with their supervisors about what's going on in their lives.

"Supervisors are not mind readers," said Chief Ricker. "Reach out and talk to supervisors about any issues. The Air Force is fantastic when it comes to helping Airmen. There are different agencies that help Airmen deal with issues such as financial crisis, marital issues, stress and depression. It's hard to help somebody if they're not willing to help themselves first. Subordinates need to develop confidence in supervisors."

Chief Ricker talked about suicide saying it was everyone's responsibility to look out for their fellow Airmen.

"I have learned through the years that a majority of Airmen who have suicidal thoughts show some kind of change in behavior or mood," Chief Ricker said. "If you happen to notice any change, intervene and guide the individual to get help. It's important to minimize suicide not only because it's a tragic and selfish act but also because it tears apart the fabric of an organization when an individual commits suicide. One suicide is one too many."

Chief Ricker said we all need to take care of each other and one way we can decrease suicide rates is by communicating and educating everyone about the classic signs exhibited by a suicidal person.

If you have any suspicions, the simplest thing to do is to just ask the individual, he added.

On fitness, the chief said it was part of our job and we all need to take it seriously.

"It's all about your well being," he continued. "Fitness not only makes Airmen fit to fight but also fit for life. Fitness is not just about going to war. If your fit your propensity for getting sick is lessened which makes the burden on our medical system less and allows you to enjoy life. Everybody benefits from it."

Chief Ricker talked about education's importance and encouraged Airmen to take advantage of the great opportunities provided by the Air Force.

"Education is the one thing nobody can take away from you," said Chief Ricker. "It makes one a better citizen." He also encouraged Airmen to take advantage and utilize the facilities provided on base.

"The Event Center, the movie theatre, bowling alley, Base Exchange and Commissary; these are benefits and entitlements that the Airmen have earned and I ask them to consider using them first before they go off base," said Chief Ricker. "It's one of the benefits of being in the Air Force."

On finances, the chief urged Airmen to live within their means.

"I have seen many Airmen get in trouble because of finances," said Chief Ricker. "They outlive their means. Take control of your debt and if you need help the Airman and Family Readiness Center is there to help you.

In conclusion, Chief Ricker said we should all utilize the wingman concept and live by our core values.

"Our core values are inherent in everything we do every day," said Chief Ricker. "We should try to make the Air Force a better place for those who come after us."