Chief Madigan ends military career Published July 22, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Fortunately for the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Bob Madigan decided halibut fishing in Alaska wasn't for him. Thirty years later, he's retiring from military service. Chief Madigan, chief enlisted manager for the 81st Communications Squadron, was born in Germany and graduated from high school in Anchorage, Alaska. While he was trying to "find himself," he toured the country doing odd jobs and worked on fishing boats. One night after he fell off a boat and nearly drowned before being rescued from the 20-foot swells, he realized there had to be a better way to make a living and decided to join the Air Force. After basic training, he was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; Lajes Air Base, Azores, and Robins AFB, Ga., as a wideband communications technician. He served as a base security systems maintenance technician at Loring AFB, Maine; a satellite communications maintenance technician at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and contingency communication maintenance technician at Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. before returning to Robins as noncommissioned officer in charge of tactical air base communications. In 1996, he joined the first sergeant ranks with five different assignments at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. -- the 355th Civil Engineer and Supply Squadrons, 41st Elec-tronic Combat Squadron, 612th Air Communications Squadron and 612th Theatre Operations Group -- divided by a one-year tour with the 8th Services Squadron at Kunsan AB, Korea. Chief Madigan arrived at Keesler five years ago as first sergeant of the 81st Medical Support Squadron and served as the 81st Training Wing's acting command chief for five months before assuming his current duties. He completed associate degrees in electronic systems technology and human resource management from the Community College of the Air Force and received a bachelor's degree in human resources management from Faulkner University. The chief earned the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (three devices), Air Force Commendation Medal (three devices), Air Force Achievement Medal (one device), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (four devices), Air Force Good Conduct Medal (eight devices), National Defense Service Medal (one device), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service (six devices), noncommissioned military officer professional military education ribbon (two devices), basic military training honor graduate, small arms expert marksmanship ribbon (rifle) and Air Force Training Ribbon. Chief Madigan and his wife, Danielle, have been married for 26 years and have two children -- Claire, a staff sergeant at Travis AFB, Calif., and Ben, a chef in Tucson, Ariz. His retirement ceremony is 2 p.m. July 31 in the Dragon's Lair.