AFNWC adds command chief master sergeant to leadership roster

  • Published
  • By Aimee Malone
  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center recently added a new leadership slot with the creation of its first command chief position. The command chief master sergeant is the top enlisted position at the center.
 
“We recognized the value of the AFNWC commander and center members having a chief master sergeant as the primary enlisted adviser to the commander in mission critical areas such as readiness, training and professional development, and to advocate for the nuclear mission” said Col. Kristen Nemish, deputy commander.
 
Chief Master Sgt. Paul Durham is serving as the acting command chief. Chief Master Sgt. Travis Chadick will assume the position starting this summer.
 
“Command chiefs are the advisors to the commanders,” Durham said. “We advise commanders on all enlisted matters, on anything that’s impacting the command’s mission – operations, readiness, training, the morale of the organization, and the technical and professional development of members of the organization.”
 
While the command chief typically focuses on enlisted military members, Durham said he will also assist officers, civilians and contractors. He said it is especially important to include these Airmen in his focus because such a large proportion of AFNWC is staffed by non-military personnel.
 
“We’re trying to gauge the pulse of the entire organization, not just of military members,” Durham said. “Including civilians helps us better convey the commander’s intent and strategic lines of effort.”
 
As part of that effort, Durham will be using the recently relaunched anonymous feedback tool, which can be used by all center employees. The first sergeant team is responsible for monitoring the tool.
 
The center will still have a first sergeant, who focuses on day-to-day issues, such as Air Force personnel actions or an Airman’s personal matters, as well as the morale of the organization.
 
Durham said adding a command chief position will be helpful for AFNWC, especially as it prepares for the Great Power Competition.
 
He highlighted the importance of having diverse perspectives when problem-solving.

“Officers, enlisted and civilians see things differently,” he said. “It’s important to have all of those elements covered. We all work together to solve complex problems, but we provide different perspectives.”