Executive officers, assistants are trusted, needed

  • Published
  • By Capt. Omar Villarreal
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  An unknown author once wrote, "Blessed are the flexible for they cannot be bent out of shape."

Col. Scott Pleus, 8th Fighter Wing commander, is sure the author was at one point an executive officer because he says the flexibility of executive officers and assistants at Kunsan AB are put to the test on a daily basis.

"Being flexible is the key to a great exec," Pleus said. "Commanders have very busy schedules and are expected to be everywhere at all times."

Pleus said that as the day unfolds those expectations are what cause commanders to get sidetracked and sway off schedule.

"As commanders, we get off schedule handling tasks that often come up," Pleus said. "It is then up to the exec to figure out how to get us back on our initial timeline in order to meet all our required responsibilities. Not an easy task!"

1st Lt. Suzanne Jumper came to Kunsan AB to work in the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, after a successful interview process she now has the task of keeping Pleus on track, and in a sense, in line.

"Wolf is very business focused and direct," Jumper said. "Being an exec requires you to have an understanding of your boss and the commitment to help get his or her priorities expressed."

Jumper says another part of being an executive officer is trying to stay ahead of the game, often requiring the exec to come in a little early and leave a little later.

"Execs usually work as long as their bosses," Jumper said. "But it is our responsibility to ensure that as soon as the boss comes in, they have what they need to start their day running, even if it means a little overtime."

Master Sgt. Lee Burgher, executive assistant to the 8th Maintenance Group commander, says executive officers and assistants ensure no detail goes unchecked, allowing their bosses to concentrate on mission success.

"One of an exec's responsibilities involves getting all the details of a requirement before going to the boss for their take," Burgher said. "Because of this, there is a lot of crosstalk between execs in order to ensure the little things are worked out in advance allowing for the boss to focus their attention on items critical to the mission."

Col. Dane West, 8th MXG commander, said he understands how important execs are to the flow of the 8th FW.

"Execs are crucial to the flow of the wing," West said. "Execs manage leadership's schedules; they quality check packages before they hit our desks and more often than not they receive details of events before we do, ensuring those details line up with mission requirements."

The details are exactly what intrigue executive officers and assistants, as they are able to see the senior leader perspectives move from an idea to a result.

"The best part of serving as an exec is being able to see how the wing implements things from start to finish," Jumper said. "Most things that happen at Kunsan somehow come through an exec. I enjoy seeing all the pieces come together."