March 6, 2012 at 2:29am
A South Sound resident himself, Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Mack knows how diverse the area is when it comes to supporting Servicemembers in the different military branches.
He believes a significant portion of people who show their support for military members don't know specifically about Reservists in the 446th Airlift Wing and what their mission entails.
As the Reserve wing's new command chief, Mack wants to change that.
"I'm very interested in the local civic (interaction) piece to the position," said Mack, a Lacey resident.
Mack, currently the 86th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant, will begin his new duties April 1. He's most looking forward to venturing out into the community with Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th AW commander, and talking about the wing's mission and its hard-working Airmen.
"We'd like to further define the Reserve force's involvement in the bigger picture," he said. "It's a challenge, and I look forward to spreading that word."
He's also looking forward to building bonds with many of his Reservists' employers and stressing to them what an important role they play in everything.
"When their employees are serving and working with the Reserves, they learn valuable job skills that they take back to their civilian jobs," Mack said. "(Their service) has a great benefit to employers."
While Mack will miss working directly with Airmen as a first sergeant, he's excited to move into his new position serving as Bowers' main connection to the enlisted force.
"It's a healthy leap," said the 46-year-old Mack. "You're out of the trenches and into management."
But it is a leap he feels he's well prepared for.
"I'm good at taking different viewpoints from individuals from all different backgrounds and forming them into cohesive voice," he said.
Mack has been at McChord his entire 22-year career. The Lacey resident enlisted in the Reserve in 1986 and was assigned to the 446th MAW as a heavy airlift aircraft technician, working on C-141 Starlifters. His first sergeant experience started in the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron after spending 11 years in the aircraft maintenance field. He has been with the 86th APS since 2008.
"Developing Airmen is the core purpose of the enlisted force," Mack said. "Colonel Bowers has entrusted me to collaborate with wing leadership to lead some of the finest Airmen in the world. This new position will also allow me to continue the tradition of honor and excellence in the 446th AW. The ‘weekend warrior' stigma is gone and it's my job to help train citizen Airmen to execute the global airlift mission on a daily basis."
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