Self-described “punk NCO” becomes AFSOC’s enlisted leader

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Gary Emery
  • AFSOF Public Affairs
His journey from self-described "punk NCO jumping out of airplanes" to leader of Air Force Special Operations Command's enlisted force is a dream come true for Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gilbert.

Chief Gilbert, who came from Eglin's 33rd Fighter Wing's command chief, took the reins as AFSOC's command chief master sergeant here today. The former special operations weatherman said the quality of the command's enlisted warriors is what makes realizing that dream so sweet.

"The neat thing about being around all our Air Commandos is getting to see what they do for our country, day in and day out," he said. "It's just that their approach to doing business is so positive - so 'can do'."

That "business" is unique among Air Force enlisted Airmen, the chief said.

"One of the unique characteristics about AFSOC is that its enlisted force is a big proportion of the command's operators, while that's not the case in most other commands.

"In other commands, it's usually the folks up in the front of the jet who do the primary mission, but in our case it's the Airmen in back of the airplane and on the ground as well as those up front" who have a combat role, he said.

"Every mission we get is a different, so it provides a lot of opportunity for our enlisted people to step up," Chief Gilbert said. "There are a lot of chances for even the youngest members of our force to have a huge impact on the fight.

"One of my priorities as command chief will be to get the word out to everyone about the great stuff we have going on and about the great contributions our Airmen are making around the world."

AFSOC's Airmen face challenges above and beyond those on the battlefield, Chief Gilbert said. "We're retiring aircraft systems, gaining new aircraft types, and working issues in our training pipe-line. All that continues while we have a war going on; it's just non-stop."

Additionally, the recently-announced standup of a special operations wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., will bring more challenges - and opportunities - for Hurlburt Airmen, he said.

"It's the right thing to do, we're going to do it and it's going to be great," the chief said. "But between here and there are a whole lot of questions about whose going, what units are involved and what airframes will go. People are concerned, understandably so, but we'll get through that.

"(Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley, AFSOC commander) has made it very clear that he wants to tell everybody as much as he knows about the move all along the way, and he has," Chief Gilbert said. "Have faith, we're going to do this the best way we can.
"At the end of the day, standing up a special operations wing at Cannon is the best thing for the command, for our Air Force and for our country," he said.
"There are a lot of great Airmen who will go out there who will do great things."

"This is just a phenomenal opportunity for a guy who was just a punk NCO jumping out of airplanes 20 years ago," Chief Gilbert concluded. "To go from that, to becoming one of the senior leaders in such a fantastic organization, just blows me away.

"It's humbling and a great honor."