New MSG commander brings unique experience to 507th ARW Published Dec. 13, 2013 By Maj. Jon Quinlan 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The new mission support commander is excited to be back at a wing. Col. Joseph M. Revit makes sure to emphasize that during his interview with me before officially assuming command of the 507th Mission Support Group during the December Unit Training Assembly. Colonel Revit said he was proud to serve 17 years as a traditional reservist at Willow Grove, Air Reserve Base, Pa. While serving locally as a citizen Airman, Colonel Revit sold heavy equipment for Caterpillar as a territory manager and he said his military experience helped him in his civilian career. "It helped with leadership, management and it helped me to better prioritize my territory for sales, meet taskers that management laid upon us and deal with my customers is general," Colonel Revit said. On the military side, Colonel Revit is a career air transportation officer and logistics readiness officer with experience at the squadron, group, wing, numbered air force, headquarters and joint levels. He has served in a variety of jobs from ground safety manager to installation deployment officer to acting deputy group commander. During it all, Colonel Revit said that he has served with some of the best people, whether deployed or at home station. Colonel Revit stated that he has had a lot of great mentors, starting when he was a second lieutenant, when a senior NCO told him during a hot July UTA, "Just because you come out here with those gold bars doesn't mean that you are automatically respected ... you can tell us what to do, but you have to earn respect" That advice resonated with Colonel Revit as he continued to live by the leadership motto of trusting your subordinates-take care of them and they will take care of you. After a few years in the reserves, another mentor, then Maj. George Tota, motivated Colonel Revit by giving him a job as an air transportation officer. "I wouldn't be here if it was not for him as I was getting disillusioned in my current job. He brought me over to the Aerial Port and I had 10 fun years there," he said. One of Colonel Revit biggest lessons learned so far in the Air Force Reserve is not to under estimate the power of your fellow Airmen and subordinates. "The folks that work for you do great things," Colonel Revit said. "Give them the opportunity to excel and go forward ... always champion the Airmen because they do great things." The new top mission support officer also said he had a simple leadership philosophy and then he explained the acronym, MPM to me -- Mission, People, Money. "Without the mission, nothing else happens so mission first, people and then money," Colonel Revit said. "Take care of your people by making sure you have the money for training, school and other requirements. Get your Airman trained and on to the mission so that they can ascend the ranks in their career fields. Continue to contribute to the mission and get folks happy to do it. It's important to keep a good balance." In regard to the current military budget concerns, the colonel gave some simple advice. "A lot of these challenges are out of our control, so the best thing to do is control what you can," Colonel Revit said. "Trust your leadership ... we are in the same boat and we don't know what's coming, but like I told my squadron commanders, if I know something I'm going to tell you, because you need to know." The colonel also highlighted his new deputy group commander, Lt. Col. Greg Russell. "I'm not an expert in all areas so what's great is our new deputy Lt. Col. Russell. He has got that piece of Force Support Squadron and Services on his resumé so he is strengthening the team which is a plus for our organization along with our local unit commanders." Colonel Revit also spoke about his strong relationship with his wife and son. Although they are separated he knows that this command is an important step for his family and his career. His wife works at U.S. Airways as a customer service agent and his son is in high school and participates in Navy Junior ROTC.