Command chief's goals -- train, care, innovate

Published Sept. 15, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Every beginning brings with it the excitement of exploring a new area, learning new aspects of your job and meeting new people.

Chief Master Sgt. Angelica Johnson, the new 81st Training Wing command chief, comes to Keesler from her position as the 30th Space Wing command chief at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. She began her latest journey to Keesler in August with her husband, Bill, and their daughters, Samantha, 22, and Kaeli, 14.

"My goals are to continue to train, care and innovate and to set a positive example for all of our Airmen," Johnson said. "I want to focus on innovation because of the lean times that we're going to have with the budget and the personnel we have to find smarter, better ways to do things."

Johnson said that she's excited about working in the training environment because it will give her the opportunity to mold Airmen in a positive way before they arrive at their first duty station.

"They have to know that they are our greatest weapon," Johnson said. "This is where it all happens."

Johnson said that it is essential to be the best at every task you're given, no matter what it may be.

"If I'm given a toilet to clean, that's going to be the cleanest toilet you have ever seen," she said. "Be excellent at what you're doing right now.

"Focus on being the best Airman that you can be and opportunities will open themselves up to you," the chief said. "People will see that you're engaged and that you'reoutstanding and they will give you opportunities and recognize you and help you progress through our Air Force."

Johnson said that it was the supervisors and people throughout her career that have helped her reach this point.

"People have seen something in me that I didn't even know existed," she said. "They really pushed me forward and I found that I was able to do a lot of the things that they thought I could do."

She said that her greatest accomplishment has been balancing her family with her career and having the opportunity to be part of a team that impacts thousands of Airmen. Johnson also said that her greatest challenge has been to inspireAirmen during difficult times.

"To keep them motivated and focused even though we know we're losing a lot of people and resources in the Air Force--that's a huge challenge for me," she said, "I try to stay positive while delivering the message that the Air Force will continue being the leader that people need through the tough times."

Johnson said that she is excited for the opportunities she will have in her second command chief position.

"This time around I have a little bit more experience, a little bit more knowledge and a little bit more focus on what I want to get done," the chief said. "I plan on building some awesome teams to get things done both on and off base, to continue the great relationship that we have with our tenant units and to continue to be good neighbors in our community."

Command chief’s goals — train, care, innovate