Wing commander marks halfway point

Published Sept. 9, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- One down; one more to go. It has been one whole year since Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander, walked across the stage and was handed the 436th Airlift Wing's unit flag, symbolically marking the commencement of his command.

Now one year later, he recounts the Eagle Wing's accomplishments while also looking forward to what the upcoming year will bring.

"Everything has been what I expected and even more," said Grismer. "It's because of the amazing people of Team Dover. Our mission is to Deliver Excellence in rapid global mobility, and this team swings for the fence every day."

Grismer listed five key focus areas to highlight the accomplishments that stand out to him: precisely executing our global mission; developing people and caring for their families; providing outstanding base support; enabling the dignified return of fallen heroes; and enhancing partnerships.

"With the help of our Team Dover mission partners, we deliver America's might and mercy to enable combat power and protect America in a way no one else can," Grismer said. "Team Dover is second-to-none in how our people execute our global mobility mission."

According to Grismer, Team Dover has provided the best training, resources and professional development, enabling the success of the mission.

"We've added deliberate development to our Leadership Pathways program and expanded professional development for officers, enlisted and civilian teammates," he said. "We've also been deliberate in preserving and improving services for our families. These improvements have been made in our Child Development Center, youth center, family support programs, same-day medical care and many other new initiatives."

Under Grismer's leadership, Dover AFB has seen many upgrades to facilities and programs. These include 24-hour fitness center access, a newly refurbished running track, a revamped Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program and an ongoing Food Transformation Initiative, along with a $98.3 million runway renovation. All of these upgrades are targeted at expanding Team Dover's mission capabilities while also enhancing the standard of living.

For his next year in command, Grismer hopes to continue to build upon Team Dover's record of safe mission excellence, and continue to deliver the quality of life, mission enhancing infrastructure, and services that the base's people need.

"I'm excited about our aircrew training infrastructure upgrades, our new runway, a transformed Dining Facility and a new food service kiosk on the flight line, to name a few," he said.

Being in command of the 436th AW, comprised of 3,163 active duty personnel, 9,370 total force strength, and 18 C-5M Super Galaxy and 13 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, has changed Grismer as both a person and a leader.

"I'm still a work in progress," he said. "I'll always be a farm boy from Illinois with a belief that to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift we all have been given. I'm truly interested in what makes people give their best effort, because I want them to achieve their goals in life, but also because our Air Force is the smallest in our history and we need everyone's best effort now more than ever.

"I believe most people give their best effort if work has purpose, keeps them interested and excited, and perhaps most importantly, their leadership appreciates them," explained Grismer. "I'm trying to be more deliberate to provide specific, honest and sincere appreciation to our teammates who Deliver Excellence every day!"

So what are some of the things that Grismer will do differently in the next year?

"We will stop doing things which do not bring value to our mission," Grismer said. "In certain areas, we are at a point where we may have to start doing less with less."

Grismer has empowered unit commanders to make the tough calls, telling them that he will always back them up to do the right thing, particularly when safety is concerned.

"Safety discipline is not a program but a way of life," he said. "It protects our people and preserves combat capabilities."

Furthermore, Grismer believes that Team Dover can surpass its 2014 record of 43 Air Mobility Command-level award winners and three Air Force-level award winners.

Grismer's message to the Eagle Wing is this:

"Trust your leadership; they are giving you their best. Respect your peers; they are amazing teammates. Mentor your subordinates; they are watching your every move. Love your family; they've sacrificed much to support you," he said. "Oh and one last thing-- in the race for excellence, there is no finish line."