New command chief gets candid

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sandra Marrero
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
Moody Air Force Base, Ga. --  Editor's note: Chief Master Sgt. David Kelch recently assumed the role as the 23d Wing command chief. He joined the Air Force in 1987, working various security forces duties over a 14-year span. He subsequently worked five years in Airman and Family Readiness and then six years as a first sergeant before deploying to Afghanistan as an air advisor and group chief.

As a young Airman, did you envision yourself taking on this kind of leadership position?

Absolutely not. My intent was to serve six [years] and probably go home ... to Montana. The only reason I came in for six years is because the recruiter said, "Hey we'll give you two stripes when you get out of basic training." That meant more pay, so I signed up. One thing led to another. You reenlist because you're having fun and enjoying yourself, and next thing you know 20 plus years have gone by.

Not everyone who serves 20 years in the Air Force accomplishes becoming command chief. How did you get involved in leadership positions?

I had a chief mentor me when I was at Maxwell who first planted the seed that command chief was a possibility. When I was first looking to become a first sergeant he asked, "What would happen if you do make Chief? You can't just be a chief. You've got to shoot higher, you've got to shoot to be a command chief." He planted the seed, but I've been very blessed to work around a lot of great Airmen throughout my career, and I've benefited from their success. They've made it possible, quite frankly, for me to be in this chair. It's more about what they've done and less about what I've done.

What is your job as command chief?

At the end of the day, [to ensure] we are able to accomplish the mission of supporting combat operations. It's to provide a perspective based off of 27 plus years of enlisted time to the wing commander and serve as a mentor and a teacher to the enlisted. To sum it up in basic terms, it's to make sure that the wing commander's message is delivered to the enlisted and vice versa. I'm delivering the message from the enlisted to the boss.

What do you hope to achieve during your time at Moody?

I didn't come here with a set agenda. I don't have three things I want to accomplish. If I said I wanted to do those three things, then that implies that maybe those three things aren't already being done. If after a couple of years of doing this, I'm able to somehow make an Airman's life a little bit easier and a little bit more productive to get them to progress- If I'm able to motivate and inspire- and get folks to remain focused on our combat mission, then it's a success. Also, [to make sure] we are taking care of our families along the way at the same time.

What do you think makes a good leader and what is your leadership style?

I think what makes a good leader is somebody who serves others, and I try to model my leadership style as a servant. At the end of the day, it's not about me; it's about those that we have the privilege to lead. They are not here to serve me in any way, shape or form.

Who do you look up to or seek guidance from?

I'd be lying if I said I draw inspiration from one single person. I draw inspiration from my faith so God is a big part of that. I have God in my life and my wife, so my wife has a huge impact on how I carry myself. Faith is first, and my marriage is second. That's what drives me, because she helps me see blind spots ... and helps me get refocused.

Can you tell us about what you like to do in your spare time?

When I'm not at work, I like to play golf. We have a motorhome, and we like to go out and camp and do those types of things. I do like to hunt and fish, although I don't do it as much as I used to. If I want to relax, I'll go for a run.

In light of the many changes and challenges the Air Force Is facing, what do you want to tell Flying Tiger Airmen who might be impacted?

There are a lot of things in life that we don't have control and influence over. Some of that is what's happening through elected channels with our budget and the reduction. People are going to lose their jobs, and we might lose airframes and things like that, but at the end of the day, what we do have control and influence over is our attitude and how we approach it.

Ask yourself, "What would happen if I lost my job 12 months from now?" None of us get to stay in the system forever. We all eventually have to leave and sometimes it might be a little earlier than we expect. We don't have control and influence over that but we have control... over how we approach that. I would encourage you to reflect on that and then have a plan.

What is your impression of Moody so far?

It's been great, absolutely fabulous. The welcome from the community and what I hear about the community, I've never been to an installation before in my career where I've heard nothing but great things about the community. In the week that I've been in this chair I've been extremely impressed with the Airmen of Team Moody. They're mission focused, they know and understand our role and our capabilities, and they're driven to accomplish the task at hand. So I'm extremely proud and humbled for the opportunity to be here.