JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Get to know the new AFIMSC first sergeant, Senior Master Sgt. John Dukes
Q: Can you tell us a little about your career leading up to this point? I have had the opportunity to work at the tactical, operational and strategic level for multiple assignments. Jobs that have included first sergeant at a numbered Air Force-level center, inspector general logistics branch superintendent and complaints resolution specialist at the major command level, command fuels manager and advising and living with the Iraqi Army for more than 12 months.
Q. What about joining the AFIMSC team as our new first sergeant has you the most excited? Obviously the Airmen! I am inspired and proud to work with such a great group of professionals who make service-wide impacts on a daily basis! Secondly, I am honestly excited to be more familiar with the unit’s mission. The learning curve will be less sharp as it was at my last assignment in a space center.
Q. What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you? I, along with you, have the most important job/responsibility in the Air Force, taking care of the most vital war capability in the Air Force - OUR AIRMEN! The million-dollar question is how do we do that? I first lean on approachability and access. If we are approachable and accessible then most of the time we will operate in the proactive vs the reactive. First, this gives supervisors the opportunity to get ahead of an issue. Second, this gives leaders more flexibility to help our Airmen. Lastly, and in my opinion most important, it gives us more leeway to apply the human factor to a situation.
Q. What do you like most about being in the Air Force? The camaraderie with the Airmen! Sounds cliché but it is honestly the truth. Ask anyone who has been retired or separated over a year!
Q. Is there anything you would like to add? It is truly an honor to serve TEAM AFIMSC and I look forward to meeting everyone!