Wing's outgoing top chief shares parting thoughts

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Duke Field, FL --  It's all about the Airmen. Stay focused on them. 

That's the outgoing 919th Special Operations Wing command chief's core message for his eventual successor. Judging by his final duty day at Duke Field Sunday, Chief Master Sgt. Rocky Hart was keen to walk that talk for the wing's 900 enlisted members. 

In addition to the customary going-away party, he insisted the day include service to his Airmen - literally - during a unit training assembly. For nearly two hours Sunday he was seen serving hot meals to Airmen at a base dining facility, all the while wishing them well and offering last-minute mentorship.

"It was a great day with a lot of fun and a lot of laughs, and I really enjoyed hanging out with our outstanding Airmen in their different work centers around the base," the chief said. They're extremely talented, energetic, driven and focused on the mission, and they do it all safely. It's really amazing when you consider they're supporting such a unique mission with us being the only Reserve special ops unit and simultaneously supporting both AFRC (Air Force Reserve Command) and AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command).

"My hat's off to our Airmen and their families for all their sacrifices to get our mission accomplished," Chief Hart continued. "That's why I see our most critical job, as command chiefs and first sergeants, is to do our absolute best to take care of them."

The chief shared high praise for his boss, Col. Steven Chapman, 919th SOW commander, and likewise for Colonel Chapman's wife, Janet.

"Colonel Chapman is, without a doubt, the best wing commander I've ever worked for, anywhere," Chief Hart remarked. "In fact, whenever I went to him with ideas to help our Airmen, he never, ever told me no. He was almost too anxious. Most of the time I had to step back and say, 'Sir, uh, let me get back to you.' He 110 percent empowered me to take care of all of them." The chief then added, "As for Janet, she's always been a quiet warrior for me and this entire wing. She's been great, and I love her to death."

The chief also tipped his hat to the local community for its overall support for the wing mission.

"The support we get from our local community is second to none," he said. "The folks on our MAC (Military Affairs Committee), the chambers (of commerce) and others are truly a pillar for our organization. They're always eager and excited to spread the word about us, and they've always wanted to literally be a part of us. I just don't think they get enough credit for what they've done for us."

The chief was asked to relate some of his proudest moments as the wing's top enlisted advocate.

"I was really pleased to see us stand up a brand new Focus 5/6 chapter through our Noncommissioned Officers Leadership Development Course," he said. I have a strong feeling for that entity; it's great to see these guys start a new chapter. They really get to the core of what it means to be strong NCO, and that means doing everything from writing efficiency reports to working through many difficult issues."

Chief Hart now moves on to assume the command chief role for the 310th Space Wing (Reserve) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. He'll also get to rejoin his wife, who's already serving as superintendant for the tenant 302nd Airlift Wing (Reserve) at nearby Peterson AFB.

"I think it's interesting how I'll be moving from one extremely unique mission to another," the chief said. "I'll go from the only Reserve special ops unit to the only Reserve space wing, so it's something I'm really looking forward to."