Meatballs and mentorship; Troops bend chief's ear over chow

  • Published
  • By Amy Abbott
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  The rank of chief master sergeant is the highest grade of an Air Force enlisted career with the pinnacle being the position of command chief. At the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Agustin Huerta holds this much-respected and esteemed designation. Looking back over the span of his career, he is fully aware a large portion of the reason he arrived at where he is today, is due in part to the mentors he had along the way. 

"I was mentored by outstanding senior noncommissioned officers and (commissioned) officers my entire career -- too many to mention by name," said Chief Huerta. "These were people who believed in me, people who cared about me and people who saw potential in me that I did not necessarily see in myself at the time. What can be better than that?  When people believe in you, they act in ways that make you believe in yourself." 

With that philosophy in mind the chief enlisted the help of other senior NCOs and decided to begin an initiative called "Lunch with the Command Chief." These meetings will be designed to provide interaction between Chief Huerta and the troops he serves. 

"The lunch gatherings will be an informal get together where conversations flow," explained Senior Master Sgt. Juan Covarrubias, 452nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "The key word is informal-- no agenda, no structure as to what topics will be brought to the table." 

The luncheon is aimed at opening communication with the Air Force's future leaders, those Airmen who fall into the Rising Six category. 

"It is imperative that every junior enlisted have a mentor," said the 452nd Air Mobility Wing's Rising 6 vice president, Tech Sgt. Adelina Casillas. "Mentors are essential for succession throughout life and our careers. They can provide us with expertise on topics they are knowledgeable in, whether it is concerning work, family life, education, health, fitness or spirituality." 

The chief often speak to members of the Top Three, First Sergeant's Council and other chiefs and organizations, yet sees promise in our junior Airmen and wants to make certain they, too, have the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential in the Air Force. 

"Leadership is about listening to people's ideas, concerns and hopes," said Chief Huerta. "Leadership is about sharing a common vision and inspiring others to share that vision. I hope our junior Airmen will take a sense of ownership for our Air Force from these meetings, because I believe in them and I believe they are the future of our Air Force." 

The luncheons will be held on Saturday, of both the A and B Unit Training Assemblies, in the Hap Arnold Club. Participants will be decided with the help of each unit's first shirt. The squadrons will rotate turns, giving everyone an opportunity to attend, and the number of guests invited to each luncheon will be limited. 

"This will allow intimacy where the guest will have an opportunity to talk with the chief," said Sergeant Covarrubias. "Hopefully, those who lunch with Command Chief Huerta will leave with a sense of camaraderie with their top enlisted NCO." 

The first luncheon is scheduled for the A UTA in October. It starts at 11:30 a.m. and Airmen coming to dine with the chief need to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of time to get their meals and go to their reserved room. Anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to notify their first sergeant. 

"Through mentorship and participation, Airmen benefit," said Staff Sgt. Neil Ballecer, president of the 452nd AMW Rising 6. "I think there are so many opportunities at March, but the average Airman does not take full advantage or is not aware (of them). It is everyone's responsibility to 'keep an eye out' for their fellow wingman and help each other through the ranks." 

For the Airmen, it's an invaluable opportunity, but for Chief Huerta - it's the reason why he loves being a chief. 

"This is my calling," he said. "This is what I am supposed to be doing.  I love to meet with all of our Airmen and share ideas and conversations with them. I want to pay attention to the future and I want to influence -- even in a small way -- that future so I can leave our Air Force a little better than I found it when I joined it 30 years ago."