Command Chief Master Sgt. Schneider retires

Photo By Master Sgt. Jessica Wilson | CMSgt Carl D. Schneider Jr., is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Ark. and serves as a member of the commander's staff to advise and assist in matters concerning enlisted members of the command or organization.  

FORT SMITH, AR, UNITED STATES

09.10.2023

Story by Airman 1st Class Miles Chrisman 

188th Wing

EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark – The 188th Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Carl “Slash” Schneider, retired March 1, 2024.

Chief Schneider served in the United States Air Force for 37 years, enlisting in March 1987, and joining the 188th Wing in January 1989.

"He is an incredible leader who has always made a point to ensure his replacement was capable and ready to take his place and deal with any situation that is thrown at them," said 188th Wing Vice Commander Colonel Sara A. Stigler, "He has really earned the 'Slash' call sign, never saying 'that's not my job' and always taking on more jobs to ensure the success of the mission."

During his career, Schneider held 10 Air Force Specialty Codes ranging from Aircraft Maintenance to multiple Communications AFSCs. He held multiple leadership positions that led to him becoming the 188th Wing’s Command Chief Master Sgt. in February 2022.

Schneider’s career was full of defining moments, but one experience that sticks out to him was when he was called to Tyndall Air Force Base to address concerns regarding their communications flight. After working with the flight he was tasked to report to the base commander and explain the issues with the operations. After the report, the general coined Schneider for being honest and upfront where others would have “danced around the facts and told him that everything was fine.” 

His actions reflect a career of promoting the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.

“The main thing I want to leave with this wing is to take the core values to heart,” said Schneider. “Service before self means you have to get rid of the selfish ‘what can you do for me’ ideology and start asking ‘what can I do for you.’”

Schneider’s plans for retirement include hiking, finish seeing all 216 major waterfalls in his book of waterfalls, kayaking, and riding his motorcycle before returning to work as a federal technician.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2023
• Date Posted: 09.27.2023 13:11
• Story ID: 453081
• Location: FORT SMITH, AR, US