Chief Master Sergeant Gary Cole retires

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Zachary L. Anderson
  • Fourth Air Force Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  In 1976, Gary Cole, then an art student, took a trip to Hill Air Force Base in Utah in to conduct research for an art project on fighter aircraft. However, what was supposed to be nothing more than a one-day visit ended up as the end of a budding career in art ... and the beginning of a 33-year career in the Air Force. 

"I was going to a commercial art school in Salt Lake City and I was going to do a patriotic piece called 'Freedom isn't Free,' showing a fighter loaded with bombs," said Chief Cole, now serving as 4th Air Force chief of ground safety. "It wasn't very long after visiting the base that I was talking to a recruiter!" 

After basic training, Chief Cole spent the first seven years of his career serving on active duty as a weapons loader. He then crossed over into the Reserve ranks and has spent 26 years as an Air Reserve Technician. In his civilian role, he serves as chief of weapons safety at Hill AFB. His July 1st retirement marked the end of his illustrious military career. He spoke of the simple reasons he continued to serve for more than three decades. 

"Camaraderie, the Air Force family, travel and to be quite honest ... the pay and the benefits!" 

Chief Cole said the concept of family is one of the main elements that make the Air Force such a tremendous organization. It's the aspect he will miss the most. 

"I was leading my parents on a vacation in Europe in 2002. We made a pit stop at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It was one of the biggest reliefs of my life just to visit with the Air Force family there. I felt like I was related to everyone on base! I will truly miss that feeling of belonging to such an elite group of professionals," he said. 

Chief Cole's career hasn't been without its difficulties and disappointments. While assigned to the 419th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB he was a top candidate to be selected as command chief, a position he considered his "dream job." When another individual was selected for the position, Chief Cole said he was crushed. Looking back now, he puts the experience into perspective. 

"That was the most heartbreaking disappointment of my career," he said. "That said, I feel God has a plan for everyone. If I had taken that assignment, I'd have been retired years ago and would have never had the opportunity to influence as many people as I have with 4th Air Force. I'm a firm believer in destiny." 

Despite this disappointment, Chief Cole said his career has been filled with memorable highlights and moments of immense pride. He has especially enjoyed his many deployments. He served in Operation DESERT STORM, has been deployed to Turkey three times in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH and once to Kuwait for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. As he speaks of his experiences the excitement in his voice is palpable. 

"During a deployment, a sense of purpose hangs in the air that you can almost smell. And the camaraderie! Wow! My last deployment was to Kuwait. It was after Sept. 11, and the intensity was ratcheted up by a thousand percent because we were all vulnerable. Attacks could come from anywhere at any time. I have never been so proud of my country and proud to be a part of the Air Force as I was during those days. What an experience!" 

That experience, and many others like it, has given Chief Cole some perspective on keys to success in the Air Force. He shared his advice for today's young generation of new Airmen. 

"Learn to do your job to the best of your ability and give your all to the mission. You will discover more about yourself and your potential than you'd ever imagine. That knowledge will carry you through every challenge of your life. It all starts with the job, your co-workers, Air Force traditions and values, and the influence you have on others. If you get those areas covered, the Air Force will take care of you, your family and your career." 

Chief Cole continued, "Put your signature on everything you do, maintain a set of principles that cannot be compromised, carry yourself like a true professional and you'll be a professional ... and have fun doing it! You want to be able to look back with no regrets." 

As he has risen through the ranks of the Air Force, Chief Cole has had the opportunity to oversee and supervise Airmen of all types. He credits this experience with helping him learn how to be an effective leader. 

"My approach was to ask myself what I needed to do to get each and every troop under me to want to take a bullet for me and let them know that I'd do the same for them," he said. "I always tried to be fair in rewards and punishment, to stand by my principles and help shepherd my troops down the straight and narrow, whether that be through compassion, a boot in the tail or a simple 'thank you' at the end of the day. Hopefully, some of the people I've supervised are better troops now and more importantly, better supervisors as a result of their experiences with me. That would be the ultimate reward." 

Chief Cole's leadership will be missed by those with whom he has served. 

"Chief Cole is an outstanding leader," said Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Pearson, 4th Air Force chief of ground and weapons safety. "He has an amazing ability to communicate with people and to motivate them to do what is best for both themselves and the Air Force. He is a great mentor and a wonderful friend." 

Over the next few years, Chief Cole said he plans on continuing his civilian job while spending more time with his family. With his beloved deployments no longer in the picture, he's already planning his next adventure following his civilian retirement. 

"I want to take about six months and travel the outline of the entire United States, starting in the north during the summer and working out way around the edges to the south for the winter. It will give me a chance to see the entire country and meet the people I've served for the last 33 years." 

He then laughed, "Or, maybe I'll just end up going fishing or playing golf all day!"