New command chief shares thoughts, goals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura R. McFarlane
  • 35th Fighter Wings public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  As the new year begins Misawa welcomes a new command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Price. He arrived here Jan. 14, from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Chief Price is accompanied by his wife, Joan, and one year old daughter Makayla. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, evidenced by his accent and down-to-earth personality. The nearly 24-year veteran took some time out to sit down for his first interview as command chief and tell Misawa a little bit about who he is.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: "I was from a rural area, my parents didn't have the money to send me to college ... I needed a way out. To be honest with you, I came in the Air Force to get a trade. I was patriotic; I don't want to ever say that I wasn't, because I was. But I really came in to get a trade and get my education."

Q: Did you plan on making a career of the service?
A: "My goal was to come in, I signed up for six years, do my six year enlistment and hopefully have my degree finished and get out and coach high school basketball."

Q: What has been your most memorable moment in the Air Force?
A: "The day I graduated basic training ... That day standing on a drill pad getting ready to graduate after eight weeks of basic training, I realized that now I'm part of a team that's going to ensure that future generations in the United States enjoy the freedom that I enjoy."

Q: What's your approach to leadership?
A: "I will tell you, it's not changed much through out my career. I was always impressed with someone who was a leader and would not ask you to do anything that they had not done or was willing to do. I like the leadership style of lead by example ... I appreciate a leader that may not know the answer but they'll find it and get back with you.

"There is a great leadership philosophy by Gary Beikirch, a U.S. Army Vietnam Vet, "I really believe that you'll never truly lead anybody until you learn to serve and you'll never truly serve somebody until you learn that there is something more important than yourself."

Q: What are your three priorities during your time here?
A: "The Chief of Staff of the Air Force has three priorities -- win the Global War on Terrorism, taking care of folks, and recapitalization and modernization of our equipment. Colonel O'Shaughnessy has some other things that are his priorities ... which are to make sure that our folks are combat ready, duty focused, and to make sure they understand that he is committed to our people. There is a fourth one so to speak and that is unwavering professionalism.

"There are some extra things I'd like to throw in there. Making sure our supervisors are trained -- and when I say trained, I'm not talking about their job training. I'm talking about some additional things like knowing how to motivate their folks, know how to rehabilitate their folks when needed. In other words, knowing how to be a supervisor, not just a mechanic, not just a supply person, not just someone that's operating in PA. They know how to handle people issues at the lowest level possible and know their people.

"The other thing is to highly express the need for Airmen to get their education at the youngest level. If I can encourage that senior airman, airman 1st class, or that airman when they first come in, to get their degrees, get their education as soon as possible, the better they will be because education is keen."

Q: What's your message to the Airmen here?
A: "How about a promise? Instead of saying a message, a promise to the folks on this base from their newly assigned command chief will be that number one; they will all be treated like family members by me and my wife and my daughter. They have a family here that's totally committed to them, loyal to them, dedicated to them -- readily available to them at any time. I love to get the job done, and have the job done correctly the first time. I put my pants on the same way they do. I'm not a special chief in a position; I'm simply a chief in a special position."