Chief retires, shares advice on leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jacob Komenda
  • 365th Training Squadron
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Some thirty years ago, in the small town of Lansing , N.Y., a young man set out to join the U.S. Air Force.

Now, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Baumgras, 782nd Training Group superintendent, has come full circle, as he will finish his career mentoring non-commissioned officers and the Airmen they instruct; a different generation of young men and women working to be a part of the very life he set out for thirty years ago.

Wanting to be out on his own, provide for and prove himself worthy, the 18-year-old New York native was inspired by his father. The elder Baumgras, a U.S. Army veteran, shared an enjoyment of military books, documentaries with his son, and raised him on tales of adventure at the dinner table. There was no doubt to those around the young man watching him grow up that the seeds of strong military values, respect for bravery and sacrifices of military service were prevalent. Armed with this upbringing and a strong sense of duty to serve, joining the Air Force was inevitable in his mind.

He enlisted as an aircraft fuel system specialist with the intention of doing four years, or "his fair share." However, he immediately found there were "unbelievable opportunities" available, giving him a strong sense of job satisfaction and reward. Within his first two years, he was entrusted to work unsupervised on the flight line and as a weekend shift supervisor.

He enjoyed the immense responsibility as it enabled him to "make a difference" as a professional and fulfilled his sense of duty to his country. For him, aircraft maintenance was at the heart of the Air Force. He loved it, and there was no reason for him to leave when his first enlistment was over.

In every position he was in from then on, his main focus was always the task at hand. By setting small goals and taking his responsibilities to heart, he was able to bloom in his assigned jobs. He continued along the path the Air Force laid out for him. Baumgras wasn't concerned with assignments, making a certain rank or filling career squares. He just wanted to make every day a success and be relevant where and when the Air Force needed him.

"Be a student of whatever governs your job, focus on being an expert technician, supervisor, manager, and leader," Baumgras said. "Don't allow distractions, and there are many distractions."

For him, the path to accolades, awards and even promotions was an indirect one. He swears by it.

"Spend yourself daily taking care of the mission and hang your hat on your tangible achievements taking care of your Airmen, your wingman and your boss," the chief said. "Do this and the Air Force will take care of you. Self-focus has no place in this Air Force."

In general, the chief says the abilities of the technician are paramount. As a career maintainer, he turned wrenches on many different aircraft.

"I value the hands on skills of technicians, and have high regards for those young Airmen earning their scars through hard work, day and night, in all weather, in any place," he said.

Across 30 years of experience, Baumgras believes there were leadership opportunities at every step of the way. How well a staff sergeant supervises others becomes an equally valued component of a professional Airman. At the senior NCO level beginning with master sergeant, it transitions from technical skills and becomes leading others and managing, along with critical thinking skills.

"The successful senior NCO in the room is the one that thinks right and leads well," he said. "I care most about how well Senior NCOs demonstrate this. How much they are making a difference for the mission and their Airmen?"

These days, "hard work" comes in the form of advising commanders, vetting staff work, and copious amounts of editing and writing, all in the name of representing and caring for the enlisted force assigned to the 782nd TRG. He believes there is no nobler a task than toiling over an enlisted performance report, decoration, or award to ensure the merit of every Airman's performance is captured with the proper weight of their accomplishments.

"Ensuring those who you are responsible for receive the recognition, ratings and accolades they earn every day is the right thing to do," the chief said. "It is serious business and we must never get so lean or so task saturated that this vital work is rushed or done with half effort. This work is the foundation of our future landscape as an Air Force. The caliber of our force will rise or fall on the efforts of our enlisted leaders taking care of their Airmen."

For the most part, Baumgras feels being a chief master sergeant is a ton of work, "as it should be," he said.

"It's not pretty, and it's not about acting like a rock star," Baumgras said. "Done right, it will be the toughest stripe you'll ever wear, but also the most rewarding. And one thing's for sure, you'll never get bored or comfortable. If you do, it's time to take stock of things in the mirror."

The chief believes, at all levels, Airmen, with a capital A, must all constantly learn, grow and refuse to accept mediocrity. Chiefs should set and enforce this premise. Doing so, however, takes work and is often uncomfortable.

"Get over it," the chief said. "Embrace your duty and learn to perform well across the entire spectrum of the military experience. Leaders are needed most when the mission teeters on failure, when things go wrong, when morale dips and when confusion persists. These are opportunities for success. Get to work and lead."

As of January 16, Baumgras culminated a 30-year-career of military service. He only wishes he could stay longer and hopes to start writing a new post-Air Force chapter for his career in aviation.