Chief sets the bar high for Team Goodfellow

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With high expectations, the 17th Training Wing's newest command chief anticipates great things from all members here.

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas F. Good, 17th TRW command chief, took charge as the wing's enlisted force leader and wing commander's personal advisor Feb. 10.

"My goals are the commander's goals," started Good. "My job is to help get the commander's message out to the base populace and facilitate the understanding of the wing's mission."

His roles include maintaining liaison with and providing recommendations to the wing's group and squadron commanders, joint service commanders, key staff members, and senior enlisted in leading more than 1,400 assigned personnel and more than 15,000 students annually - including 6,000 joint service personnel - spread across Arizona, California and Florida.

Good has high expectations for all the service members who work and train in the 17th TRW.

"We need our service members to be an example and to set the standard," he stated. "We need them to understand that it's not just about core values. It's being a total force Airman, to include Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Each member of team Goodfellow must: Step up, step in and own not only the problem but the solution."

As command chief, he has expectations set for service members, or as he likes to call them, total force Airmen. He also has expectations for himself as a senior NCO.

"Our family mantra is to never forget that being an Airman is a privilege; being a senior NCO is a gift," said Good. "It's not about you, but the future. It is not about my position; it is about all of Team Goodfellow molding, mentoring and educating service members. My goal quite simply is to make it better."

Good knows that although he is the command chief, he is a mentor as well.

"It's about being a part of life and understanding," said Good. "I call it a huggin' and a kickin.' Sometimes you are going to hug and sometimes you are going to kick, but it means that I am going to be involved in your life. Our goal is to make you better as a service member, as a -- 17th Training Wing total force -- whether it's Goodfellow, Presidio, Corey Station or Fort Huachuca. It's about relationships; it's about being involved."

More specifically, Good has high expectations for the pipeline students who train everyday here.

"For the students, I expect them to learn what it means to be an Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine; listen to what it means to be a service member and never take it for granted; you have a great responsibility that you may not understand," he said. "[I want them to] listen to people, set [their] foundation here in the Air, Education and Training Command, and learn [their] expectations and roles."

As for the permanent party service members, Good said he wants them to be an example and to set a standard for the pipeline students to follow. He also said that permanent party service members have a role to mentor, educate and train.

He requests that all of the Airmen in the 17th TRW be accountable, even during the Force Management programs happening across the Air Force.

"Trust your leaders, be accountable, own the process and be approachable," he started. "As a total force, you have a great opportunity to effect change. The standard you walk by is the standard you accept. If you/we own the process and are accountable, we can make the difference in our Air Force."

He also requests that Airmen stay focused and diligent. He wants Airmen to understand their roles and responsibilities first before getting caught up in what is going on outside.

Chief said the Airmen here make him proud. He said they inspire him to do better.

"Total force Airmen, whether that is Active Duty, reserve, guard or civilian Airmen, motivate me," he added. "I look up to them because I see that they have an amazing opportunity, and they force me to try to be better. Our family is left in awe every day."

From the 17th Security Forces Squadron at the gates to the history surrounding Goodfellow, Chief said he is glad to be here.

"Our legacy, our heritage here at Team Goodfellow is on the shoulders of giants," said Good. "Take a moment to truly look at the eyes of the portraits of our legacy, be inspired by their sacrifices. From what I refer to is our front gate, Airman 1st Class Jacobson. Our Airmen and our sister services have a responsibility to never tarnish the honor of the past, present or future. Our family is truly humbled with the opportunity to serve and it's a great opportunity to be a part of Goodfellow."

Chief believes being humble sets the bar for success and said it is a humbling experience to be a part of Goodfellow.

"It's not about me," he concludes. "It's about every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine that we have on Team Goodfellow. It's about taking care of our future today so that tomorrow can be brighter."

For more information on Good, read his bio at http://www.goodfellow.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=17409