New Reserve Command Chief visits Homestead

  • Published
  • By Ryan Ayers
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  In his first day on the job, Command Chief Master Sergeant Troy McIntosh held his first enlisted Airmen's call here March 7 at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Chief McIntosh replaces Air Force Reserve Command's former Command Chief Master Sergeant Jackson Winsett who is retiring after more than 30 years of service. Chief McIntosh was previously superintendent of the Active Guard and Reserve Management Office in the Pentagon since April 2005.

The new chief used the opportunity to inform Homestead's Airmen of changes occurring in the Air Force Reserve, his keys for success and to answer questions about pressing issues reservists might have.

Many changes will be happening over the next few months, including new training tools for mentorship and a reduction in ancillary training requirements, according to the chief.

The chief relayed the view that reservists spend too much time working on ancillary training and not their jobs. Chief McIntosh, along with other leadership, is trying to reduce the time spent to hours and not days.

"This gives the Airmen time to do their job and prepare for what they will be doing in a deployed setting," the chief said.

Chief McIntosh said he's eager to help all reservists do well and achieve all they can.

"I want everyone to have the opportunity to succeed," he said. "There are no boundaries to what an Airman can do as long as they have integrity and remain true to themselves."

Members in attendance seemed pleased with possible changes and look forward to seeing further progression of the Air Force Reserve.

"He [Chief McIntosh] gave a refreshing perspective of where AFRC is going with a no nonsense attitude," said Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Addison, the 482nd Services Mobility Chief.

Part of clarifying the vision is through Enlisted Force Development. There are many tools for supervisors to help their people succeed, but there are also tools for the Airmen to use. Airmen can log on to the Air Force Portal, and with a few clicks of the mouse have an enlisted development plan formulated for them. This plan will give them the appropriate directions for achieving their goals for progression in the Air Force Reserve.

"With this tool an Airman can have a list of all the requirements to become the next Command Chief Master Sergeant," Chief McIntosh said.
Beyond the enlisted development plan, opportunities for success increase if reservists are willing to move to other bases. Another method of moving up is to spend four years as an active guard reservist (AGR) in recruiting.

"Recruiting gives young military members a perspective of how the Air Force operates, and gives them the tools to become great leaders in any career field," he said.

Chief McIntosh also understands that many policies look good on paper and are not so good when it comes to executing them. He said that's why feedback to the member's leadership is so important.

"The hardest part of helping people succeed in the Reserve force is finding the right balance between work, family and military duty," the chief said.

The command chief also gave a look into the future of the Air Force Reserve.

The chief said it's important that Airmen be proactive, seek opportunity and be inspired to achieve, highlighting the importance of serving at other units throughout the country and not simply at one station throughout one's career.

Some of the junior members in attendance listened attentively and found inspiration in Chief McIntosh's words.

"You can achieve any goal in the Reserve with the right attitude, and I felt Chief McIntosh reinforced that to the enlisted members," said Staff Sgt. Dionne Dukes, a Mission Support Group administrator.

Throughout the one hour enlisted call, many subjects were covered, but one message was clear.

"The Air Force Reserve is changing and nothing should get in the way of your success. I am here to provide you with the tools to make that success achievable," Chief McIntosh concluded.