NCOs continue legacy of freedom

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. (S) Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The freedom and democracy we enjoy as American's began during the American Revolutionary War's first battle -- the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Responding to intolerable threats to the civil liberty, the thirteen American colonies bravely sought sovereignty from British rule by means of a volunteer citizen militia. Without a national military, the Minutemen -- a select group of militiamen trained to respond at "a minute's warning" -- were among the first to the fight. And just like today, victory would not be possible without a well-trained NCO Corps. 

This battle marked the first successful armed resistance to British force, and our nation's first military victory. Two months later, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to organize our nation's military efforts by establishing the American Continental Army, and selected General George Washington as the commander. The establishment of this common national defense is the origin of our Department of Defense -- the most respected military the world has ever known. 

Quickly following General Washington's assumption of command, he hand-selected a coalition partner, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, to train the Continental Army for battle. Baron Von Steuben, who served on the staff of Prussia's Frederick the Great, honed the new army's NCOs by improving tactics, regulations and discipline. He is credited with preparing General Washington's army for victory, and establishing the present day structure of the NCO corps -- the backbone of our profession. Emphasizing the critical role of the NCOs he wrote, they "must pay greatest attention to their troops conduct and behavior." 

In my 25 years in uniform, I have yet to meet a senior NCO who "pays greater attention" than Command Chief Michael Williams. For the past three years, this American Airmen has dedicated himself to improving the welfare and professional development of countless Airmen. I cannot think of any better command chief to lead the Airmen of the Air Force's most forward deployed permanently-based fighter wing. I have no doubt the Mustangs of the 51st Fighter Wing have great "conduct and behavior" under his charge. 

Speaking for the entire Team Travis family, I wish the command chief, his wife Charlene and son Dominique, Godspeed as they PCS to Osan Air Base, Korea. 

As we prepare to celebrate our nation's freedom on the forth of July -- Independence Day -- thanks to the bravery and determination of our country's founding warriors. In the 234-years since the Battle of Lexington and Concord, we have helped spread democracy to benefit freedom-desiring countries around the world lead by great American Airmen like Command Chief Master Sergeant Mike Williams. The absolute finest of our enlisted corps!