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AFSOC command chief tours Cannon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chip Slack
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Over the last three days, I had the privilege of accompanying Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Caruso, Air Force Special Operations command chief, as he toured Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico and met with our Air Commandos.

Caruso's enthusiasm and sincere gratitude were evident throughout my time with him, but it was not until I heard him speak to the students of the Airmen Leadership School that I truly understood his passion for servant leadership.

In his honest and candid manner, Caruso opened up to the young airmen about his Air Force story. His parents passed away at a young age and the Air Force created a sense of family for him - providing that missing link for Caruso. I believe his genuine nature and authenticity in holding the Air Force in such high regard is exactly what today's Airmen need to see: a deep appreciation for the nation and its service members.

Over the course of his visit, Caruso met with airmen at the First Term Airmen Center, ALS and the First Sergeants Council. He was also given a tour of the new dorm construction and updates on new housing projects here.

Chief Caruso and I had a chance to sit down and discuss some issues that were very important to him:

What do experiences like getting to interact with AFSOC Airmen like this mean to you?
"It means the absolute world to me. Roughly 90 percent of my job is visiting with Airmen to see what they are going through, what their challenges are, what's good and what's bad. My job is to take that back to headquarters and see what I can affect with the staff, how I can help the command teams in the wings, groups and squadrons, and then advise the senior commander on what really needs his attention. We sit down and talk about what our Airmen are doing - I'm his voice for you, the enlisted and officer corps that are out in the field."

To what do you attribute your personal motivation?
"My Airmen motivate me on a daily basis. To be in this position and be asked to be the command chief, the senior enlisted leader of AFSOC is an honor. That in itself makes me get up every morning and do my job well - I want to be a good Airman for the Airmen that I serve. On a personal level, what motivates me is how well the Air Force has taken care of me.

"I have kind of a weird story of how I got in. My parents died when I was 17. I was already on my way into the Air Force, but they passed before I became an Airman. I was left with no one except my brothers. When I came into the Air Force, I had an identity, paycheck and something I could dive into. I found a new home and a new family. I'll work my tail off until the end of my career for my Airmen."

What would you say was the best and most effective advice you received in your career?
"Be yourself. You have to be true to yourself because I believe a large majority of us were taught what was right and how to act, which is consistent with great American values and the core values of our Air Force. Think about what it means to be you, what the people you looked up to taught you. Having motivation, enthusiasm and a connection to what you are doing in life matters most. Be passionate about what you do - if you're not really good at something, passion will push you to get better and then you'll become great."

What are your hopes for young airmen in today's Air Force?
"My hope is that they become better, faster, and stronger - more physically, mentally and emotionally fit. I hope they can wrap their arms around the fact that we will need more from them. The world is a very small place now and Airmen have to be ready to go anytime, anyplace now more than ever. I hope they will understand the importance of developing resilience.

"Honest and respectful feedback is what leadership needs, and our Airmen must understand that supervisors like me are trying to make them better; please listen, don't take constructive criticism personally, improve and move on to the next challenge."

After my time with Chief Caruso, I couldn't help but to be moved by his complete dedication and optimism for all things Air Force. It was an inspiring experience to see someone of his caliber interacting and encouraging Cannon's Air Commandos.

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