COMMENTARY: An Airman's point of view

  • Published
  • By Airman Sara Csurilla
  • 47th Flying Training Wing
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- --  July 3 I was invited to attend a memorial service for Gary R. Pfingston, the 10th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, with Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Heinzen, Command Chief Master Sgt. of the 47th Flying Training Wing and Master Sgt. Joe Morse, 47th Security Forces Squadron's First Sergeant.

Me, an Airman, rubbing elbows with a command chief master sergeant and a first sergeant. It was an incredible opportunity but in one of the most intimidating atmospheres I've ever been.

From the moment I walked in the church (the very same church I attended in basic training only 10 months prior) an overwhelming sense of respect for this enlisted leader came over me.

Chief Pfingston helped produce many things that are taken for granted in today's Air Force that will continue to impact Airmans careers for years to come, such as Career Field Education and Training Plan, three-level and seven-level technical schools for all career fields and opening additional Air Force jobs to women.

He began his career in the Air Force as a B-52 crew chief, and then served as military training instructor in 1973. In 1979 he became the commandant of the Military Training Instructor School.

Chief Pfingston became a first sergeant in 1982 and then served as a senior enlisted advisor to several bases including Gergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, and Pacific
Air Forces Headquarters, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Then, when he became the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force in August of 1990, I had just turned 3 years old.

Now at 20 I'm serving in our world's strongest military and a man that battled to keep our Air Force strong, all awhile tremendously downsizing it, passed away and as an enlisted Air Force member, I feel as if we truly lost a great chief.

He made incredible changes that will shape the face of the Air Force forever and has really inspired me to take every chance I get to be a leader.

From an Airman's point of view the experience was a more than exceptional approach to learn and grow in respect for our enlisted corps leaders, who blazed a trail for all of us to follow nearly 25 years later.