Airmen ask the chief Published Feb. 8, 2011 By 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base recently received the opportunity to ask base's newest Command Chief questions with the ability to remain anonymous if they wished. The questions were sent to each unit's first sergeant, and then forwarded to Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Caruso, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief. The questions covered a wide range of topics and the hope is that the entire base can potentially benefit from the knowledge imparted by Cannon's highest enlisted. Q: "What are your biggest goals as Cannon's new Command Chief?" -- Airman 1st Class Jones A: "Like any good sergeant, my goals are the same goals of the wing and the mission here at Cannon. To help with that, I would like to professionalize the force a bit more...meaning I would like to see our Airmen work, act and behave in a way that more readily shows we are quiet and competent professionals. The way we executed the Operational Readiness Inspection was a great example of what I am talking about. We are a young force, but we can do better in the way we attack/approach problems. We can also do better in the way we treat each other when it comes to things like customs, courtesies, and adherence to basic standards as we go about our work. I really would like to see our enlisted corps embrace more of an Air Commando culture as we go forward in 2011 and beyond. With that, I want to create more opportunities that will allow our people to obtain higher education... off duty and professionally as well. Overall, I want to serve the enlisted force with honor and distinction, be an advocate for your concerns, all while helping you understand the wing commander' s intent and guidance." - Chief Caruso Q: "The weight lifting area is overcrowded as there is only a small part of the facility designated for it. With the base continuing to grow, are there any plans to either renovate or build another fitness center?" -- Airman 1st Class Whiting A: Many of us agree that the fitness center is at, or near, its max capacity on most days, especially the weight room at peak use times. There is a conversation going on at the mission support group and wing commander level pertaining to looking at options for expanding the fitness center. An add/alter project would be the most likely alternative versus an entire new complex anytime soon. I asked the MS to see if we can try and optimize space at the fitness center. One thing to remember is that we have given seven or eight units on base permission to operate small satellite gyms within their units. Perhaps your squadron is one of them." - Chief Caruso Q: "With the rapid growth of the Air Force Special Operations Command world, has there been any talk of opening or gaining another base for our command?" -- Anonymous A: "Cannon is it. There are no plans to open/gain another base for AFSOC.I am not sure where this rumor is coming from." -- Chief Caruso Q: "What are you going to do to eliminate some of the bureaucracy in the staffing process at the Wing?" -- Anonymous A: "I will pass this concern to our Director of Staff, Mr. Rick Masters. I am not sure what you mean by bureaucracy, since every step of the staffing process is required by the Air Force Instruction and is also part of sound leadership and management. I can assure you that Mr. Masters' staff works hard to push staff packages through and that every package gets the attention it deserves. Staff work takes time to do properly, and we have an enormous workload on any given day, along with competing priorities. What I can do is promise that I will work with the staff to see if we can gain any efficiency in the processes we do have. If you have some ideas, or if you have experience working on a staff, then I welcome an e-mail from you to discuss." -- Chief Caruso Q: "In what way did the Air Force way of life motivate you to reenlist multiple times?" -- Airman 1st Class Medina A: "Good question...this was a family issue for me. But first, you have to understand that I came in with literally nothing but the clothes on my back, so today I am extremely appreciative of all the things I have. "The Air Force has always provided me an opportunity to excel, and as my wife and I grew and raised our family in the Air Force, we realized that a life of service is a great life. The Air Force always took care of my family, during tough times and long deployments/TDY's... the unit was always there for us. When I became a senior NCO, we realized it wasn't about us anymore, and it was time to give back to the Air Force and lead enlisted Airmen. Once I became a chief, it simply became a no-brainer and we felt that helping our enlisted force grow and accomplish the mission would be our goal. I am so glad they picked me to fill this position... what an honor. Before I knew it, 23 years had gone by... and we are going to keep going until it stops being fun." -- Chief Caruso Q: "Looking back at your time in the military, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you had known as a junior enlisted person?" - Airman 1st Class Hamilton A: "I wish I had known about the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) programs and also how Enlisted Performance Report ratings affect promotions. It took me four times to make staff sergeant and 15 years to get my Bachelor of Science degree. Your supervisors should be talking to you about these things... if not, ask them or better yet, read the Professional Development Guide. -- Chief Caruso Q: "I would think that I speak for most, if not all of the dorm residents, who are double-bunked who want to know when construction of the new dorms will be complete and also the renovation of dorms we already have will be done if there is any?" -- Airman 1st Class Rogers A: "This is another great question and I want to clear the air. First, thanks to the 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron for stepping up and taking on a majority of the double occupancy rooms. These Airmen will be the first ones to move over to the new dorms when they are completed or the renovation is done. Groundbreaking for the new dorm will begin in 90 days or so. The statement of work for that one is about a year or so and the dorm is scheduled to be online in 2012. Dorm 1159 is under a major renovation and should be completed by next summer. They found some major issues with that dorm's infrastructure, however, our wing commander and the mission support group team worked hard to keep it on track and dedicate more money to the dorm's additional repairs. As we go forward, I can say that I will be intimately involved in the dorm projects and the welfare of our unaccompanied Airmen on Cannon." -- Chief Caruso