Command Chief select reflects on 26 years of service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Adarius Petty
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
For his entire life, Chief Master Sgt. John has dealt with issues of race, but he never let that slow him down in his 26-year Air Force career.

When he enlisted in July 1989 from Savannah, Georgia, John, currently the 432nd Maintenance Group chief enlisted manager, had plans to finish his education and leave the Air Force. But when his first enlistment was up, he decided to stick around just a little longer.

"I came in for the college, I signed up for four years and thought that would be it," he said. "Those four years turned into eight because I was having so much fun. Once I hit eight I figured I'd do a little bit more. Once I went past 10, there was no going back and here we are at 26 years and I'm still here."

Along the way John has faced some challenges, but his father's advice has helped him overcome them.

"Both in and out of the military I've faced, not discrimination necessarily, but racial challenges," John said. "My dad always used to tell me that racism is fueled by ignorance and if you want to defeat it you have to work hard to be the best human being you can be every day."

Every day of his career John strived to be an example to others by getting his non-military education as well as his professional military education. He worked hard to be the best Airman, supervisor and mentor he possibly could.

"When I came into the Air Force there wasn't the emphasis that was needed on diversity," John said. "Today we're doing a much better job of taking care of our Airmen in all areas including combating any kind of 'ism' such as racism, sexism and more."

Although the Air Force is combating the "ism's," John said race has occasionally played a part in his career.  

"There have been times where I've been underestimated or my opinion has been undervalued because of the color of my skin." John said. "They tried to define who I was because of the color of my skin"

For John, skin color is something that has played a part in his entire life.

"I have a multiracial family and I've faced challenges since the day I was born." John said. "Some of my extended family on both my mother's and my father's side let race get in the way of love and that hampered a great relationship. My father always told me that racism is fueled by ignorance."

John's most recent accomplishment was being selected as the command chief of 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

"Nothing can be more humbling than being selected to be a command chief." John said "That's something that when I came in, I never would have dreamed I'd become a chief, let alone a command chief. The opportunity to go up and join the leadership team and serve Airmen and their families as well as accomplish the mission at the wing level is awesome. I'm extremely excited about it."