10th Air Base Wing gets new command chief

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Hammes
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Leadership is nothing new to the 10th Air Base Wing command chief.

Chief Master Sgt. Shirley Jones, who took the post in September, spent her 25-year career in the Air Force pushing past boundaries and building up leadership experience.

"If you stay within your own little bubble, you lose out, your peers lose out and the Air Force loses out," she said.

Jones began her career in the Materiel Management - or supply - career field in 1989 before retraining to Equal Opportunity in 1996.

"I consider it a defining moment because I was completely content in my comfort zone," she said. "I was a part of supply that entire time, had some success as far as moving to different leadership roles within the organization (and) had won a few awards. But there was more that I wanted to accomplish in the military. I consider it a defining moment because I took a chance."

Jones held four Air Force specialties throughout her career: supply, equal opportunity, group superintendent and command chief.

She said mastering multiple career fields is a good way to gain experience; she especially encourages Airmen to seek out special duties.

"I think you're a well-rounded Airman when you work outside of your core career field, regardless of what special duty you go into," Jones said.  "Airmen learn a new aspect of the Air Force and when they return to their career field they bring a renewed level of expertise and experience back with them."

She also stressed the importance of becoming involved in the Air Force community, with professional organizations like the Airman's Council, Falcon 5/6, the Academy Top 3 and the Air Force Sergeant's Association.

"Participation in professional organizations makes us stronger Airmen," Jones said. "It is important to learn how to navigate amongst our peers outside of our duty sections."

Jones said she is excited to join in the Academy's mission of building leaders of character and considers her position as 10th ABW command chief to be the pinnacle of her career.

"I have served with and for wing commanders, group commanders and EO wing staff agency leads who were graduates of the Academy," she said. "I am proud to be a part of a team that takes America's sons and daughters and transforms them in to future Air Force leaders."

Col. Stacey Hawkins, the 10th ABW commander, said Chief Jones' experience makes her the right enlisted leader for the wing.

"Here, we have a mission like no other and the wealth and breadth of experience Chief Jones brings to the Academy will be critical as we work to develop leaders of character," he  said. "Her selection as command chief for one of the Air Force's most vibrant wings is a testimony to her professionalism, dedication to duty and her ability to continue to promote a culture of respect for all."