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BALTIMORE (AFNS - 12/6/2011) -- The command chief master sergeant
of the Air National Guard spoke with members of Maryland Air
National Guard 175th Wing during a town hall meeting Dec. 4 here.
Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard Christopher E. Muncy speaks with enlisted members of the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing Dec. 3, 2011, in the dining facility at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Baltimore, Md. Muncy represents the highest level of enlisted leadership for the Air National Guard and is responsible for the interest regarding welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization and progress concerning the enlisted personnel under his command. National Guard photo
by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hughes |
Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy represents the
highest level of enlisted leadership for the Air National
Guard. He told the audience they need to tell their story.
"You do not tell your story,"
Muncy said. He encouraged the Airmen to get the message out
of what they do. "What do you tell your families, what do
you tell your employers?"
Muncy said Americans don't
know what the Air National Guard is.
He described a
scenario of stopping at a gas station after a duty day and a
citizen sees an Airman in uniform and asks if the Airman is
in the Army. The Guardsman replies, 'No, I'm in the Air
Force.' Then the citizen asks, "What kind of plane do you
fly?"
Being that Airmen are not pilots, Muncy
encouraged all Airmen to tell their story. He said he wants
Guardsmen to talk about the great things they are doing for
their country and states. "You have done great things for
the entire world," Muncy said.
Muncy said he knows
the military is limited in manpower and resources, but he
knows we will complete the mission. A small percentage of
Americans serve in the armed forces -- 2.2 million protect
and defend the constitution. That is 7/10 of one percent of
the country's population.
Muncy said how critical
everyone is to the safety of the nation and state. "You are
all critical to the fight and you have to get that message
out," he said. "Thanks to you, no one has invaded the
country."
Muncy concluded his town hall meeting by
responding to questions from Airmen.
One question
dealt with the super committee and budgets cuts that may
come into effect in 2013. He said it will be ugly, but could
not release specifics of what may be cut. Muncy said the Air
National Guard has lived through base realignment and
closure, where bases were closed or airplanes taken away.
Airmen also survived the ANG reset, where staffing was
reduced at all bases.
"We are still fighting the
fight for you," said Muncy in reference to the National
Guard Bureau trying to get resources to Airmen in an ever
shrinking budget environment. "We will still give you what
you need, but everything is on the table."
Airmen
also asked about the stigma of looking for mental health
support. He reiterated the importance of having wingmen to
support Airmen. When people see an issue or change, they
have to be willing to get involved in getting help for the
Airman. "Our intent is to take care of you and your family,"
Muncy said.
During his visit, Muncy met with senior
leaders, groups in their work areas and had lunch with
Airmen to hear their issues and concerns.
By USAF Tech. Sgt. David Speicher
175th Wing Public Affairs
Air Force News Service
Copyright 2011
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