Command chief provides new perspective to the 99 ABW Published June 15, 2011 By Senior Airman Michael Charles Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The role of command chief master sergeant has largely remained the same since its official designation in 1996. As the senior enlisted leader in any wing or command they act as the bridge between the enlisted force and senior leadership. Since the activation of the 99th Air Base Wing, there have been five command chief master sergeants assigned to the wing, each of whom has helped to mold Nellis enlisted Airmen into successful NCOs and senior NCOs in the Air Force today. Col. Steve Garland, 99 ABW commander, recently announced Chief Master Sgt. Vincent Marler as the newest 99 ABW command chief. Chief Marler joined the 99 ABW after serving as Air Mobility Command's air traffic control functional manager at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Marler stood before the 99 ABW for the first time as its command chief during the commander's call June 3 at the base theater. "I'm proud to serve as the command chief of such a diverse wing, Chief Marler said. "It's an honor to serve with and mentor the Airmen who will be shaping the future of our Air Force." For more than 25 years, Chief Marler has served as a command post and air traffic controller. As the sixth command chief and the first with an operational background, he hopes to bring a new perspective to the table. "Switching from an operations wing to a support wing will be a learning process," Chief Marler said. "Hopefully, I can provide a different perspective to Airmen and help them see how their roles fit into the Air Force as a whole. I believe each Airman's job is important to the accomplishment of the mission." Chief Marler also expressed how fulfilling it is to serve in a support role and how amazed he was to learn all the functions the 99 ABW performs in the Nellis community. As the 99 ABW Command Chief, he is the senior enlisted Airman to the host wing of Nellis, serving more than 7,000 enlisted personnel in support of five other wings, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and more than 50 tenant units. Chief Marler's goal is to be visible and accessible to all personnel. "I want to be able to reach out to not just Airmen in the Wings but the tenant units as well," he said. "We're here to support the tenants as much as everyone else that has a mission on this installation. We accomplish the mission(s) as a team." He also challenges supervisors to be active in developing our Airmen and to provide expectations to each of our subordinates. "The biggest advice I can give to the young NCOs is to know your people," he said. "We are in an ever evolving Air Force; we have to let our Airmen know exactly what is expected of them through formal and informal (daily) feedback. Additionally, by enforcing standards, discipline and encouraging self improvement we are laying the foundation to create the future leaders of the Air Force." Chief Marler also asked supervisors to help their subordinates set clear, consistent and continual goals for their own futures. By establishing expectations and goals for Airmen, they will strive to meet them, he added. "Goals include more than just making rank," he said. While making chief was a long-term goal of Chief Marler, he attributed his success to constantly setting short term goals for himself, to include PME and other career milestones and doing his job to the best of his ability. "Whether you have put on your first stripe or your last you must strive to better yourself and those around you," Chief Marler said. "We expect our senior NCOs to continue with their PME and complete their CCAF just as we expect our Junior NCOs and Airmen to complete their requirements to attain that next grade. It's all about acquiring the tools to make our Airmen better throughout their careers." Even though the role of command chief remains much the same since its establishment, the experience each one has brought to the 99 ABW continues to mold the enlisted structure of the outreaching wing. Chief Marler promises to build upon that experience and add a new dimension to the idea of the 99th as a support wing, which has not been seen before.
