McChord's new command chief master sergeant looks ahead

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Burks
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Chief Master Sergeant Greg Warren, 62nd Airlift Wing command chief, has only been on the job as the wing's top enlisted Airman for a matter of weeks - but he's already seen enough to describe the wing with one familiar word ...

Excellence.

"In a nutshell, Team McChord is a professional organization dedicated to the mission - Airlift Excellence ... Right Here ... Right Now," said Chief Warren. "It's an honor to be part of this wing, and I look forward to maintaining the seamless continuity of excellence."

Chief Warren took the time recently to answer a few questions regarding Team McChord's mission, its people and current issues.

Q. What's your impression thus far of Team McChord and its Airmen?

I have been extremely impressed with McChord's Airmen. I had the pleasure of coming here TDY during the Operational Readiness Inspection and got to watch the wings operate up close. During that time, I visited many units and had the opportunity to speak with many Airmen here ... what a great experience. Though I've only been on the job a couple weeks, I've been able to participate in the Senior NCO Recognition Ceremony as well as the monthly promotion ceremony ... both were class acts planned and executed by extraordinary Airmen. My wife Sheri, my family, and I have been shown incredible support since arriving here ... truly above and beyond anything I've encountered in my Air Force Career.

Q. With Joint Base Lewis-McChord on the horizon, what are some of the biggest challenges you see for Team McChord?

I don't see challenges, I see opportunities. One of the biggest roles for me is a facilitator of change because changes are coming and we either embrace them or get left in the dust.

To me, it's all about relationships - building and maintaining good, solid relationships here and over at Fort Lewis to facilitate the change needed for a smooth transition to Joint Basing.

Q. If you were to accomplish one goal during your tenure as McChord's command chief, what would that be?

Maintaining a seamless continuity of excellence. McChord is such an excellent wing; the best I've ever been a part of. Every member of Team McChord - active-duty, Reservist, Guardsman, civilian, as well as our families - holds a share of that reputation. As long as that culture of excellence is maintained, I'll feel my tour here will have been successful.

Q. What are your top priorities / interests?

Developing Airmen and taking care of families. From what I've seen so far, Team McChord demonstrates excellence in doing both. I will always seek opportunities to develop our Airmen ... they are our future. And our families are the ones who generate us as Airmen - we generate the mission but our families generate us. I can assure you, my family does this for me and has for a long time. We have to take care of our families, because at the end of the day, they are all we have left.

Q. Who, or what, has had the biggest influence on your career?

My faith and my family ... without either, I would not have had near the success I have had in my career.

Professionally, when I was an Airman basic attending initial technical training at Castle Air Force Base, I was walking through the squadron when a staff sergeant instructor stopped me and said four words, "Shine your booths, Airman." That staff sergeant ended up becoming a chief master sergeant, influencing my career even further. Those four words turned an aimless Airman basic around and started a career.

Q. What's the most important thing you want to tell McChord Airmen?

Our mission here is Airlift Excellence. Every Airman here is part of that ... our job is Airlift. No matter what your career field or specialty, your mission is Airlift. We are each other's Wingmen ... we are family - brothers and sisters in the armed services of our nation. It's about service ... to our nation, to our Air Force, and to each other.

How I measure my success is how many Airmen I have helped. I have an open-door policy, and will take every opportunity to "get out from behind the desk" to meet and talk with our Airmen. If I can't go home at the end of the day and say, "I've helped an Airman today," then I haven't done my job.