Photo By Master Sgt. Frank Miller | U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Pumares, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group aeromedical...... read more read more
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UNDISCLOSED LOCATIION - It is said when one promotes to Chief Master Sergeant one will never promote again, however in 2004 a Chief Master Sergeant from California proved this is not necessarily the case, and is known today as Lt. Col. Robert Pumares, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group aeromedical dental flight commander.
“I joined in October 1981 and spent six years in active duty,” said Pumares. “I was a structural technician, basically a carpenter, and then I cross trained into the engineering assistant career field where I eventually became an operationalist NCO.”
In 1987 while stationed at Castle AFB, Calif. Pumares was faced with a choice, stay in active duty or pursue a civilian job in the up-and-coming Silicon Valley region.
With his education and experience, Pumares was a prime candidate for the many civilian job openings in the area which helped him come to the decision to leave active duty yet still serve by joining the Air National Guard in 1988.
While assigned to Moffett Federal Airfield, California ANG, Pumares rose through the ranks attaining Chief Master Sergeant on Feb. 1, 2002.
“I was ready to retire at my 22 year mark but then 9/11 happened,” said Pumares “I was activated for five months and put in charge of an airport security detail at San Jose International Airport.”
At the time Col. David Walton, 129th Medical Group commander, found out Pumares was a mechanical engineer in his civilian career and was looking for a bioenvironmental engineer.
“Col. Walton called me in to his office where he pulled out a checklist,” said Pumares. “The commander then told me ‘chief I have a position open and I’d like for you to answer a few questions.’”
Pumares was asked if he met certain requirements needed to fill the position.
“I kept nodding my head and would say ‘yes sir’ for each question,” said Pumares. “After all the questions had been asked Col. Walton said, ‘Perfect, I would like you to be my bioenvironmental engineer.'”
Pumares then went to his home to research what Walton asked of him.
“I had no clue what went with the job so I went home and did some research,” said Pumares. “Col Walton and I then continued to talk for multiple months, but it was tough for me to make a final decision.”
Despite multiple deployments over the years, and at one time planning to retire, Walton managed to convince the chief to become a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.
In mid-2004, after 23 years of enlisted service, Chief Pumares received a direct commission to captain because of his professional experience.
“The hardest part of the transition from going E to O was how the CE culture differs from the medical culture,” said Pumares. “That was the most difficult part for me, having to change my mindset.”
During the span of twelve years, Pumares rose from the rank of captain to lieutenant colonel, which is the rank he plans on retiring at within the next year.
“I’ve known Lt. Col. Pumares since we were both Majors,” said Lt. Col. Altino McKelvey, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group public health officer. “This is our second deployment together and as a wingman, Lt. Col. Pumares has always been very supportive and has provided professional guidance.”
As an O-5 Pumares feels as if he finally gained some of the level of achievement he enjoyed while wearing the chief master sergeant stripe.
“There is this aura about being a chief,” said Pumares. “The chief is almost always able to get things done due to the amount of respect their rank holds. They have wisdom, experience, and temperament. They just ask and work gets done. It’s a big difference.”
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2016 03:44 |
| Story ID: | 186360 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 340 |
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