ACC chief's conference grooms new chiefs

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  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (ACCNS) --     Air Combat Command's newest chief master sergeants and chief selects convened at Offutt's Dougherty Conference Center recently to discuss the dynamics of being a chief in today's Air Force.

"This is a great opportunity to get E-8s and new E-9s together to present them a strategic vision of not only ACC but also the Air Force," said Chief Master Sergeant Rodney Ellison, ACC command chief. "We are providing them a view from the top."

"Since the creation of the rank of chief master sergeant some 45 years ago, the roles and scope of responsibilities of our chiefs have evolved tremendously," said Gen. John Jumper, Air Force chief of staff. "As we continue to evolve our force, it is essential that our development of those who serve, or will serve as chief master sergeants, keep up with the needs of our mission and our people."

The annual conference is on target with the Air Force chief of staff's Jan. 12 Sight Picture regarding force development and the role of the chief master sergeant, covering such key issues as Air Expeditionary Force manning, professional military education, leadership and retraining.

"You just don't know the difference between senior master sergeant and chief," said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Brick, 97th Intelligence Squadron assistant operations superintendent. "The conference opened my eyes. It gave me a bigger perspective on the major issues the enlisted force faces."

One issue that directly impacts the entire enlisted force from the top down is the cross flow of chiefs from one career field to another.

"We will implement an aggressive, but smart, cross-flow program that moves chiefs in over-manned specialties into vacant leadership positions," General Jumper said "Chief master sergeants bring a wealth of experience and leadership to virtually any assignment. Unless prohibited by certification requirements, we will no longer accept placing junior personnel where the mission requires the leadership of a chief."

"Currently, we have about 140 vacant chief master sergeant positions," Chief Ellison said. "A top to bottom review will validate current chief positions and determine which positions can be cross flowed (retrained)."

Not all career fields are short of chiefs. In fact, there is an overage in information managers, first sergeants and command chiefs, according to the command chief.

"(After cross-flowing) we will come out with a more balanced force and effectively utilize chief master sergeants," Chief Ellison said. "Commands need to really look hard at chiefs on base because it's good for the Air Force and the legacy we leave.

"It's extremely important to help new chiefs to understand this is not just a promotion, but an assumption of the great responsibility to leave a legacy behind," he said. "Part of every leader has to be prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually."

The new chiefs are ready to put their conference classes to work.

"The conference put more leadership tools in my tool box, which better equip me to carryout the mission," said Chief Brick.