Team Travis bids farewell to interim command chief

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After giving more than 24 years to the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Carol Johnson is scheduled to retire in a ceremony in front of the wing headquarters building today at 3:45 p.m. 

Chief Johnson served as the interim command chief for the 60th Air Mobility Wing before handing the reins over to Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams last month.
As interim command chief, she served as the principle advisor to the commander on issues concerning the health, welfare and morale for more than 7,100 enlisted members. 

Chief Johnson started her Air Force career by reporting to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in March 1982. 

After growing up in Philadelphia, she said she joined the Air Force for training, education and travel but soon realized the Air Force offered much more. 

“The Air Force started out to be a short venture [four years] where I thought I might get some training. I wasn’t sure whether I’d stay longer but after two years, I knew I’d be what we called a ‘lifer’ [20-year career],” Chief Johnson said. “I also felt it was a great opportunity to do something for the ones I loved. I thought, by serving in the military I would be doing my small part to protect my family. I also felt a sense of patriotism and wanted to serve my country.” 

The chief said serving her country would have been a tougher road without the love and inspiration from her family for all of these years. 

“Throughout most of my career I’ve been a single parent. My inspiration has been my son. I have always wanted to provide him the things I think he needed to be a good American citizen, she said. “So I knew that meant setting the example and ensuring a stable environment for him.” 

“He is the wind beneath my wings,” she added. “I can only hope I’ve given him a good foundation to build his future on.” 

She jokingly said that although her son is somewhat spoiled, he has turned out to be quite a young man. “I couldn’t be prouder,” she said. 

Although she has had some fond memories at home, she has also had some fond memories while being in uniform. 

The most fond memory of her career was when she graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
“I had the pleasure of being a part of the speech competition, a member of the color guard and the squadron commander for the graduation parade,” she said. “There is nothing like being in uniform, marching to the sound of a band while your parents sit in the bleachers watching. I was so proud yet scared to death all at the same time.” 

Graduating from the NCO Academy was a step she needed to take to obtain the rank she is retiring with today. 

She stated initially she didn’t really think about obtaining the top enlisted rank in the Air Force. However, as the years passed by she realized the need to move up to prevent being stagnant at a particular rank. 

“I didn’t want to waste my time or the Air Force’s. I set personal goals to make rank and only hoped that one day I would become a chief,” she said. “There are many times I didn’t think [senior master sergeant] would happen let alone chief, but I stayed the course.” 

The chief said that she was fortunate to have great supervisors that took care of me and challenged me in all the right ways. 

Being surrounded by great people is one thing she said she is going to miss the most.
She said that the reality of retiring is finally hitting her and she knows she will be leaving a great organization. 

“Lately, almost everyday I go through what I call ‘my lasts.’ The last time I’ll wear that uniform as active duty, the last time I’ll speak to a group at the noncommissioned officer’s professional enhancement seminar. The last time I’ll attend a quarterly awards ceremony,” she said. “It’s starting to hit home, I’m already missing what I grew to love some 24 years ago!” 

She said her time in the Air Force has been outstanding giving her the focus and skills she only dreamed about. 

“They gave me the opportunity to see the world and to get a great education. I will never forget the people and the camaraderie. I’m already missing my Air Force family!”