448th SCMW vice director retires Published May 26, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- After 27 years, Col. Joseph Pinckney said it's time. On June 3, the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing vice director will retire from the Air Force. Though he said he knows it's the right choice for him and his family, it was not an easy decision. He will miss Tinker, the opportunities he's been afforded through the years and the learning experiences. "I feel blessed because I've been some places that as a young person in Trenton, N.J., I never thought I would have gone to," Colonel Pinckney said. "I've met some great people throughout my years and had so many great experiences." Colonel Pinckney said the idea of joining the Air Force was introduced to him by his father. During a summer break from college, Melvin Pinckney Sr. sat his son down and asked him about his plans post-graduation. When the colonel didn't have an answer, his father suggested the Air Force. The Virginia State University student looked into officer programs, only to not be accepted into the commissioning program. Discouraged, he graduated with a business studies degree and worked in the civilian sector. Shortly thereafter, his two Airmen cousins suggested he enlist and then apply to officer training school. "That was probably the greatest advice two people could have given me," the colonel said. "I did that and two years later, I was at Lackland Training Annex, San Antonio, in OTS, within two years of coming into the Air Force." As a newly commissioned officer in 1986, Colonel Pinckney said his goal was to make the rank of major and retire at 20 years. Yet, something happened along the way; something the young Airman didn't anticipate. "I grew to love the Air Force," he said. "I started meeting some great people, having great experiences and started seeing a lot of different things; I went to the first Operation Desert Storm, which changed me quite a bit. It all made me want to be a part of this organization." The Airman rose through the ranks and accomplished his goals. He faced new adventures and made lasting memories. In June 1999, the colonel, then a major, served as a squadron commander for the first time. That experience at the 355th Supply Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz, would become his most beloved assignment, he said. "That was the most rewarding experience," he said. "I was down in the operational chain, supporting the operational customer and having day-to-day interaction with the base." In the next 10 years, Colonel Pinckney would rise up the chain, taking on more challenging assignments at the Defense Energy Support Center in Fort Belvoir, Va; Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Ga; and the 448th SCMW. At Tinker, he gained a new respect for the supply chain business and its workforce. "Before I came here I was always a customer and now being a part of supply chain planning and execution, I see how complicated and challenging it really is to get those spare parts and equipment," Colonel Pinckney said. "I also see a workforce that takes it personally when they can't make it happen. It's opened up my eyes to how complicated the supply chain really is and it's not an individual sitting at their desk trying to screw things up." In fact, the colonel said he would find that very hard to believe. The people he's met at Tinker are among the finest in the Department of Defense. "Everyone really wants to try to contribute to the mission," he said, "and there are some people who are really affected when they can't, by no fault of their own, get the customer what they want when they want it. I see that in a lot of folks." As the colonel prepares for the next chapter in his career, he said he will miss Tinker. And Tinker will miss him. "Colonel Pinckney is a great Air Force leader who demonstrates every day the core values of integrity, service, excellence in everything he does," said Gilbert Montoya, 448th SCMW director. "He will be sorely missed and his contribution to the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center and 448th missions will have lasting positive impacts." Following his retirement, Colonel Pinckney said he and his family intend to move to Warner-Robins, Ga., to be closer to family. The colonel's retirement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on June 3 at the Tinker Club. For more information, call 734-9321.