TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Growing up in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Chief Master Sgt. David Tuck joined the Air Force after graduating high school in 1989, and began his career as an F-15 crew chief. Following a motorcycle wreck years later, the chief was forced to shift gears and retrain in contracting.
Chief Tuck joined the 72nd Air Base Wing last June, with a total of 27 years of military service. Prior to joining Team Tinker, the chief served as a chief enlisted manager at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
“My [last] 18 years in contracting have been great, but the opportunity to serve in this role is a real blessing. I thank (72nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Stephanie Wilson) every day for the opportunity,” said the chief.
Every new role brings challenges, with adjustments to different personnel, environment and styles. For the chief, he anticipates his biggest task as bridging communication within the Air Base Wing, tenant units and the local community.
In tackling some of these, or any, challenges, Chief Tuck applies some of the lessons he has learned since joining the Air Force.
“If you’re willing to put in hard work,” he said, “you can be a valuable asset to any organization.
“The Air Force provides each and every one of us the tools and opportunities to be successful. Opportunities are all around us – we just have to look up and be willing to roll up our sleeves to be prepared. You need to be prepared; you never know when they will show themselves,” he said.
As the command chief for the 72nd Air Base Wing, Chief Tuck advises his superiors on matters relating to the enlisted force. This includes effective utilization, training, development and readiness of the wing’s enlisted force. Additionally, he serves as the liaison for enlisted matters pertaining to the 552nd Air Control Wing, Navy STRATCOM Wing ONE, 507th Air Refueling Wing and 40 other tenant units on Tinker Air Force Base.