JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Randy Parker assumed the role of Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Detachment 6 civilian leader and director during a change of leadership ceremony July 8 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
One of 10 detachments serving as the liaison and on-site support between Air Force major commands, Space Force and the AFIMSC enterprise, Detachment 6 directly supports Air Force Materiel Command.
We asked Parker a few question about his life, his career and his thoughts about becoming the first civilian director of an AFIMSC detachment.
Time in service?
I have thoroughly enjoyed a blessed career in our Air Force. I began my journey graduating with a civil engineering degree and Reserve Officer Training Corps commission from the Virginia Military Institute in 1982 and landed at Wright-Patterson AFB. I served on active duty for five years, transitioned to civilian civil service and served in the Air Force Reserve for 19 years. How time flies when you’re having fun!
Hometown?
I was born and raised in our Nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and grew up in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from the Pentagon. My parents both worked for the Federal Government and defense contractors.
Can you please tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
Growing up in northern Virginia, construction was everywhere. Highways, bridges, large-scale building projects, mass transit Metro, famous monuments, I knew I wanted to become a civil engineer and contribute to something bigger. As an Eagle Scout and VMI graduate, the Air Force was a calling for me to serve in our Nation’s armed forces. I chose the Air Force because my Dad served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. And, every position I was promoted into was the best job ever!
As a young project engineer, I was mentored by inspiring Air Force leaders who constantly challenged me with meaningful assignments and opportunities that allowed me to grow professionally. They allowed me to learn from my mistakes and encouraged me to get outside my comfort zone to find innovative solutions to complex problems and deliver results. I learned and witnessed our Air Force Core Values, servant leadership, teamwork, empowerment, and the tradecraft in design and construction at an early age.
The result was a fast track series of positions, opportunities and promotions that included becoming a program manager, engineering branch chief, deputy base civil engineer, vice director for the 88th Air Base Wing and then a major command headquarters division chief at AFMC. With the standup of AFIMSC, all MAJCOM civil engineer staffs shifted gears and transitioned to AFIMSC detachments where I was assigned as the deputy director and civil engineer division chief for Detachment 6 and now the first civilian director. My role is to support a $62 billion MAJCOM with AFMC’s eight installations, three geographically separated units and five Air Force plants, and a 90,000 member diverse workforce.
What about your new role has you the most excited?
I have been recruited and by-name requested to work on many cutting-edge, high priority Air Force initiatives. I believe that my path up to this point has thoroughly prepared me to serve at the next level. I am humbled and honored to have been considered and selected to lead our Detachment 6 staff of professionals supporting and advocating for AFMC installation commanders’ critical installation and mission support requirements, ensuring timely and responsive delivery of capabilities to a $55 billion physical plant.
We can certainly get behind our new AFIMSC Tag Line; Your Success is Our Mission! How cool is that? I’m pumped up about it, for sure.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I am battle tested and ready for this leadership challenge. I am excited about representing the men and women in AFIMSC at AFMC headquarters and together as a team solving the many challenges we face in our Nation, Air Force and at our installations. I thrive in a changing, high-paced environment and have learned to adapt and succeed. I enjoy mentoring the next generation, building high performing teams that push the envelope, and I will continue to work hard, build trust-based relationships and deliver results.
What do you like most about serving in the Air Force?
We are all members of a professional military armed service which happens to be the most powerful Air Force on the planet! Serving and being part of something “bigger than yourself” is both personally and professionally rewarding. As our Nation celebrates 244 years of independence, liberty and freedoms, we operate in an environment built on mutual respect. It’s not perfect, but I have sincere respect for our Air Force leaders and their selfless service to our Nation, knowing they are working hard, making course corrections, protecting our freedom and honoring those who have sacrificed so much.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to play doubles tennis, build puzzles and read historical biographies. I also love a good laugh, home improvement projects and traveling with my wife, Michelle, on short road trips, beach vacations and travel overseas. My most unique trip was a visit to Latvia, my father-in-law’s home country. He has since retired from the Air Force Research Lab as a physicist. After witnessing the effects of 70 years of communism and USSR occupation, I returned home on July 2 ever so thankful for our country and the many freedoms we enjoy!
Is there anything you would like to add?
I am excited and ready to accept command of Detachment 6 and I sincerely look forward to serving alongside TEAM AFIMSC and delivering exceptional installation and mission support services to our warfighters! If you are ever at WPAFB, don’t hesitate to look me up.
To learn more about Parker’s career, read his official bio at https://www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2267622/randall-b-parker/.