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AETC command chief speaks to Sheppard's enlisted

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana, command chief master sergeant of Air Education and Training Command, spoke to Sheppard's enlisted members July 24 during two Enlisted Calls.

Enlisted members of all three tiers listened to Chief Tappana's discussion about different issues in the Air Force from team work to the importance of good leadership.

"I chose those topics because I think they're important," the chief said. "There's a lot happening in the Air Force today."

One of the main points Chief Tappana made was that the Air Force functions as a team.

A lot of times people say they want an assignment at the "tip of the spear." He pointed out that the tip of the spear is not a weapon; it is only a war head. If the tip is thrown by itself, it will only go a few feet, he said. However, if you put the tip of the spear and the shaft together, that powerful weapon will soar for hundreds of yards.

"Look at the Air Force as that weapon," Chief Tappana said. "One Airman may be at the tip and he is powerful, but with the help of his wingmen, they're unstoppable. AETC is an excellent example. Success is the direct result of someone creating warriors for the fight. If you're here today then you're helping by supporting or being an example," Chief Tappana said.

Chief Tappana said a good leader doesn't let an Airman fall short. He said a good leader should look at every reason behind that, whether it's insufficient training, lack of motivation, personal issues or otherwise.

The chief said he believes people are never too senior for leadership and that leadership can go up or down the chain.
He said one time when he was a master sergeant, he was in charge of a team. One of the staff sergeants on his team went to his office to have a talk with him.

"While I thought he was coming to me for help with something, he was actually there for a completely different reason. He said 'Sergeant Tappana, you have high standards but I can't enforce them if you won't live by them anymore. Are you okay?'"

"At the time, my daughter was in the middle of a six-month hospitalization, and I didn't realize that I wasn't dealing with it well," Chief Tappana said. "So I got a haircut, fixed my uniform and went to work with a different attitude. That was a beautiful leadership move. He didn't assume I was failing because I wanted to, instead he asked if I was okay. Everything I have achieved since then I owe in part to him. He led me when those senior to me did not."