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New AFMC command chief visits Tinker, addresses enlisted force

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Air Force Materiel Command's recently appointed command chief master sergeant visited Tinker's enlisted force April 15.

Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren spoke at the base theater about Air Force and AFMC issues, offering a different perspective, guidance and motivation to persevere. He specifically addressed AFMC Commander Gen. Donald Hoffman's priorities, suicide prevention, a psycho-active recreational drug known as "spice," and career broadening opportunities.

"We always regret the things we never did, but should have," said Chief Jaren. "The opportunity of a lifetime must be taken within that lifetime of the opportunity. They have a shelf life."

Chief Jaren, who was named AFMC command chief in January, was most recently the Air Force Flight Test Center and 95th Air Base Wing command chief at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He has roughly 28 years in the Air Force and experience as a superintendent in the Maintenance Group, Operations Group and Mission Support Group.

The chief began his briefing by broadening the application of General Hoffman's first priority. Though it states, "reinvigorate the nuclear enterprise," the chief said it relates to everybody and not solely those involved with nuclear components. It is about maintaining focus on "critical tasks," which everyone has within their organization.

"In our busy days, as the e-mails are racking up, the volume of stuff you have to do, such as enlisted performance reports, doesn't compete with your critical tasks," Chief Jaren said. "We take care of our critical tasks. Whatever they are, across our critical enterprises, we don't go home until those are done. If we don't secure our critical tasks, national security can be jeopardized."

Another Air Force priority relates to the Air Force taking care of its own. The chief said deployments are part of this mission and it's not likely they will soon decrease. So, when the opportunity to re-enlist arises, make the decision as a family. When a member who has the support of his or her family chooses to re-enlist, they are all better prepared to meet the challenges confronting the Air Force.

The chief also emphasized the importance of suicide prevention. He said we need to have courage to ask the tough question when it's possible an Airman is at risk. Should an Airman receive a vibe that something is wrong with his peer, the chief said they should follow the ACE principle: "Ask, Care, and Escort." Instead of feeling the duty is done by asking the question, an Airman should accompany the individual to a chaplain, mental health office, first sergeant or commander - someone better equipped to handle the situation.

Chief Jaren also said the use of spice, a psycho-active recreational drug, does not mix with an Air Force career. While it seems to be the latest fad, using this as a drug is not permissible in the Air Force and will not be tolerated. Already, Airmen have been discharged for using this drug. The chief added, using spice is not the way to advance an Air Force career.

Chief Jaren further encouraged Airmen to venture out of their comfort zones and try jobs that are new - it will only better them in the long run. In his own career, the chief referenced a move from production supervisor of the C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter and KC-10 Extender in 1997 to the NCOIC of wing and protocol and special projects at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

A supervisor is not out to see his subordinates fail, the chief said. They want you to succeed.

"If you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing," Chief Jaren said. "The people who have gone through the ranks before you have the perspective to look down and they can see your abilities, and they're going to see what you can't because you haven't been down that road yet."