SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- On May 12th, Chief Master Sgt. James Suttles, 375th Air Mobility Wing Command Chief, will retire after 30 years of service. Had you told him 30 years ago that he would eventually make it to the rank of chief master sergeant and serve in the position of a wing command chief, he wouldn't have believed you.
"My goal was to do my four years and get out," Chief Suttles said.
Clearly, that's not the way it happened.
"At the very beginning of my career, I really was not a good Airman. I got in a lot of trouble and made a lot of mistakes. I was on the fast track to being promoted to civilian Below the Zone. Luckily for me, I had a supervisor who came in and turned me around and I haven't looked back."
Chief Suttles took time Monday to answer a few questions about his time at the 375th AMW and his Air Force career.
Looking back on your time as 375th AMW's Command Chief Master Sergeant, what's your favorite memory?
To pick out one single event as my favorite is impossible. Any day I can make a difference in someone's life, in someone's career, truly is a single and very important moment in my career. Each moment is important, whether it's standing up on stage to recognize and congratulate annual award winners, or going in with Col. Goldstone, 375th AMW Commander, to promote someone Below the Zone, or if it's intervening in the life of an Airman in trouble and making an impacting difference and to watch them change their behavior and become the role model themselves. It's a full spectrum of significant events--I can't pick just one moment as my favorite.
What was your favorite assignment?
My favorite assignment is my current assignment. Being the command chief for the greatest wing in the Air Force is a privilege. It's also a great responsibility, and it's certainly not without its share of challenges. But this is a great assignment because I get to work with great Airmen.
What was the biggest challenge you overcame during your Air Force career?
My biggest challenge came along when I was very young in my career. I was always in trouble, not doing the right thing, or not doing the right thing well enough. The greatest challenge I had was learning to be a good Airman. I think I did an OK job at overcoming that challenge, I'll let others judge for themselves.
What will you miss most about the Air Force?
Without a doubt, I will miss the people more than anything. I will miss being a part of something that is much greater than I am.
What about your retirement are you most looking forward to?
Spending more time with my family. Over the years, as all servicemembers know, you give up a lot. Most of all you sacrifice time, and it's usually time with your family. My children are not totally out of the house yet, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with them and my wife. We plan to stay local. I want to make sure that my daughter gets to graduate from the same high school that she started in.
Do you have any parting words for the Airmen of the 375th AMW?
It has been my profound privilege and honor to be your command chief. I am so humbled to work with the men and women of the 375th AMW and to be able to call them teammates.