JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- More than 80 chief master sergeants, chief selects, and six enlisted leaders from Pacific partner nations attended the 2016 Pacific Air Forces Chief’s Leadership Course Jan. 11–15, 2016.
The course, hosted by PACAF Command Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Hutchison, provided the opportunity for enlisted PACAF leaders to gather and discuss leadership challenges, best practices, and to exchange information and experiences with partner nation attendees.
“One of our main jobs here is to make our replacements better than us,” Hutchison said. “We’re all tasked with making our Air Force better as a team, and I really appreciate being part of that team with you.”
The international enlisted leaders in attendance represented the air forces of the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
“It has been a huge honor to have our partner nation [leaders] here with us,” Hutchison said. “It goes to show that no matter the size of our air forces or our location in the Pacific, we all face similar challenges within our ranks, and we can learn a lot from each other on how best to tackle those challenges.”
Course attendees heard briefings on an array of topics and from several key leaders including Gen. Lori J. Robinson, PACAF commander, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody, to name a few.
Cody shared his thoughts on what makes a Chief and effective leader, and discussed some of the challenges and rewards with the rank.
“This will be the most challenging time in your career, but it can also be the most rewarding time if you do it right,” Cody said. “You will feel good everyday if you have the opportunity to make a difference in an Airman’s life or their family’s life.”
You also have to help people be successful in their career and personal life, because when they’re successful, you’re successful. They are a reflection of your leadership, and that’s a lot of responsibility.”
Each international enlisted leader spent time speaking with the attendees on their experience in the course, and shared some of their leadership points that have helped them in their own career.
On the last day of the course, the leaders had the opportunity to explore Hawaii with tours of the USS Arizona, USS Missouri, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and hike to the Makapu’u Lighthouse.