First impressions are everything

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle
  • 436th AW command chief
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Upon arrival at a new base, the first questions asked are invariably, where are you from, where were you stationed, and why did you join the Air Force? I was raised in Virginia Beach, Va., I come to Dover AFB from Langley AFB, Va., and I joined the Air Force because of the education and employment opportunities. But what's next? Questions about my philosophy, my vision and my goals for the job, when we've skipped over the real question: Why did I stay in the Air Force beyond my initial four years? My first supervisor.

My 25-year career in the Air Force and my position as the 436th Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant can be tied to that first supervisor.

My supervisor welcomed me into the Air Force with the same enthusiasm and energy that I have seen in my first weeks at Dover. He spent time getting to know me and my family, and he set me up for success by establishing the minimum performance standards and then expecting the maximum from me. When it came time for me to re-enlist, I knew I wanted to stay in the Air Force because my first supervisor made me feel part of a family and I was proud to be in the Air Force.

Front-line supervisors are the most influential person for our first-term Airmen. The impact supervisors have on our new Airmen will last throughout their career. The attitudes and actions of our supervisors are key to retaining and developing the future leaders of the Air Force. When welcoming new Airmen to Dover and the Air Force, let's make that first impression count as we prepare them for tomorrow's challenges.

Along with retaining talented Airmen, we also need to develop them. Our new Airmen and non-commissioned officers need mentors to step in and guide them. Senior NCOs need to deliberately grow and develop the next generation of leaders because our time in the Air Force is running out. Leaders don't happen by accident, they are developed through mentorship, guidance and having a model example to follow.

I have always been taught to leave things better than you found them. At the apex of our careers, senior NCOs have the opportunity to leave the Air Force better than they found it.

I look forward to working with and meeting each and every capital "A" Airmen here at Dover.