ANG command chief holds town hall with Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lealan Buehrer
  • 182nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PEORIA, Ill. --  The Air National Guard's top enlisted leader visited the 182nd Airlift Wing here March 4 to take questions from the unit's Airmen and provide them with his leadership insight.

Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, the command chief of the ANG, met with the enlisted corps, the wing's outstanding Airmen of the year, the First Sergeant's Council and the Community Action Information Board to discuss his command priorities.

During the forum with airmen basic through technical sergeants, Hotaling said to focus on three primary aim points: Understanding our commitment to the profession of arms, resiliency and recognizing and embracing accomplishments.

The chief said he also visits units in order to hear feedback and deliver advice in person.

"One of my main roles is to be the eyes and ears for the director of the Air National Guard," said Hotaling, "and of course the only way to be the eyes and ears is to go out and actually see where the job is done. That is at the wing level or below."

The Airmen were also given the chance to offer their feedback during a question and answer session.

"Chief talked about attitude as being the number one thing that he's learned through his career, which is going to make or break your career," said Tech. Sgt. Darrin Kesler, a production recruiter with the 182nd Force Support Squadron. "Having the right attitude is going to take you through your education, it's going to take you through your training and it's going to make you a leader among your peers."

"I thought it was wonderful that he came out to see us," said Senior Airman Katie Dyke, a command post specialist with the 182nd Airlift Wing. "Him talking about the profession of arms today reminded me that I'm always wearing the uniform, whether I physically have it on my back or not."

Hotaling is the 11th command chief master sergeant of the ANG. Friday marked his first visit to Peoria since assuming his current role in February 2013.