New wing commander outlines expectations at first commander’s call

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katrina M. Brisbin
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Team Buckley members crowded into the Buckley Fitness Center to listen to the first official address from their new commander Aug. 15.

During the commander’s call, Col. David Miller Jr., 460th Space Wing commander, introduced himself to the wing and outlined a few expectations, one of which is pursuing excellence through professionalism, discipline and readiness. He focused it on training, explaining why it is important to train even when it is hard.

“I believe in discipline and in training,” he said. “I believe we teach people habits through repeated focus on their job and give them the tools to do their job. Leadership and discipline are what sets great militaries apart.”

Miller also outlined his zero tolerance items to include drinking and driving, drug use, discrimination, sexual assault and harassment, fraternization and “not my job-itus.” He also consistently reinforced the need to take care of our brothers and sisters in arms in addition to answering questions from Airmen in attendance, with one in particular about the Airman’s Creed.

“If there’s one thing that you’ve hopefully taken from this discussion today is that it is your responsibility to take care of each other,” said the commander. “I think that ‘Never leave an Airman behind’ is not just something that we think about in the abstract, but something that we need to embrace overall.

“I guarantee you this, if everybody stepped in and intervened to make sure an Airmen never did anything unwise, the issues that negatively affect resiliency would drop precipitously,” he added.

After answering a few questions from Airmen in attendance, Miller turned to Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Stratil, 460th Operations Group chief enlisted manager, for closing remarks.

“One thing I can tell you is that a team cannot operate very long without two things; pride in what you do every single day and your identity,” said Stratil. “You already are a part of an organization that is the envy of the world. You are a part of the best Air Force this world has ever seen.”