Photo By Spc. Loni Kingston | Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National...... read more read more
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WESTFIELD, Mass. - Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard James W. Hotaling spoke to the Airmen of the 104th Fighter Wing here Feb. 6.
Chief Master Sgt. Hotaling took the time to conduct an all call with the junior enlisted and a separate all call for the senior enlisted.
During the junior enlisted all call, Hotaling surveyed the Airmen to see who had served in the Air Force the longest and who was the most recent graduate of Air Force Basic Military Training. Airman 1st Class Juan Ochoa was the most recent BMT graduate here, having returned from training in January.
Hotaling told the group about the new 5,000 seat stadium at Lackland Air Force Base that is shaped like the Air Force wings and is the finish line for the Airmen's Run that occurs the Thursday of graduation week for BMT. He asked Ochoa to recount his experience during the Airmen’s Run.
"To be honest, I felt proud. It was the first time I had seen my family and I was getting to show them I graduated basic military training," said Ochoa, of finishing the Airmen's run in the coliseum-style stadium.
Hotaling talked about the significance of earning the title of “Airman” at the end of basic training.
After Ochoa participated in assisting Hotaling in describing the new BMT to the group, Hotaling gave Ochoa a Command Chief’s coin. Hotaling’s Command Chief coin has three significant numbers on it; 1636, 1947, and 54. The National Guard was founded on Dec. 13, 1936, the Air Force was created on Sept. 18, 1947, and there are 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia that have guard units.
Hotaling showed the video “By the Numbers,” which illustrates the progression of our Air Force from its beginning to its current status.
“This is reality. We are the smallest air force in history, the most engaged, and in the most sustained deployment since Aug. 6, 1990: Desert Storm," Hotaling said.
Hotaling asked everyone in the room to look down on the left side of their uniform jacket.
"What does it say?" he asked while everyone read the words "U.S. Air Force" on their uniform.
"Does it say Massachusetts on it?" he continued. "Does it say Air National Guard? No. Why does it say U.S. Air Force? Because that's who you are; you are in the United States Air Force."
Hotaling discussed the importance of the three components of the Air Force: the active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserves, and the Air National Guard.
"Not one of those components can be a U.S. Air Force by itself," he said. "The Unites States needs an Air Force to go fight its wars. You are a part of that! And you saw in those numbers that we're all together in this."
Hotaling also spoke about the importance of resiliency in Airmen in our Air Force and how Airmen can apply the Four Pillars of Resiliency to their service and their lives.
“If you are going to take vitamins and supplements, the two you should take are Omega 3 and Vitamin D. It is going to clear you and un-fog you," Hotaling said, speaking to an aspect of the physical pillar.
He explained that the mental pillar of resiliency includes how you as an individual cope with stress in your life. The social pillar is about taking some time off, and the spiritual pillar is about believing in something greater than yourself.
Prior to opening the forum up to a question and answer session for the Airmen, Hotaling stressed the importance of recognizing their Airmen appropriately and supporting morale.
"Whether you serve six years or an entire career, just know that you're providing service to your nation,” Hotaling said of Air National Guardsmen. “Be inspired and be proud.”
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2016 16:33 |
| Story ID: | 188161 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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