JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The newest member of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center command team wants everyone in the organization to feel respected, valued and connected to the mission and each other.
“I favor an environment where everyone, regardless of rank, position, gender, race, or religion, is respected,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dana C. Council, AFIMSC command chief master sergeant.
As the AFIMSC command chief master sergeant, Council oversees the health, welfare and professional development of 4,000 total force Airmen and helps guide the center responsible for delivering installation and mission support capabilities across the Air and Space Force.
Council joined AFIMSC in May. Now that he’s settled into his new role, we asked him a few questions about his life, his career and his thoughts about joining AFIMSC.
How long have you been in the Air Force?
Wendy and I have been blessed to serve 29 years and counting!
Hometown?
I’ll give you a hint: “In West Philadelphia born and raised. On the playground is where I spent most of my days.” Yes, Wendy and I are from Philadelphia, otherwise known as Philly.
Can you please tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
I spent 24 years as a Defender and had the honor as serving as a command chief since then. Wendy and I have experienced 12 permanent change of station moves, 13 straight years overseas (Yokota Air Base, Japan; Kadena Air Base, Japan; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany) and 15 deployments.
One of my most memorable and fulfilling assignments was serving as a chief at my last security forces squadron at Kadena. The mission, location and people were phenomenal! And finally, my last assignment as the command chief at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, was very similar to Kadena: great mission, awesome people and location.
What about your new role has you the most excited?
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share with the Air Force and Space Force what AFIMSC does and the impact we have. I look forward to educating my peers on how to effectively utilize the capabilities of AFIMSC and eliminate any misconceptions about the organization. Lastly, I look forward to fostering a culture where everyone feels respected, connected and protected.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
Simply put, I favor an environment where everyone, regardless of rank, position, gender, race, or religion, is respected. No one should work in an organization where they feel disrespected and undervalued. Along those lines, folks should have a connection to their organization, mission and each other. Everyone wants to feel a connection and be part of a team or something bigger than themselves. Finally, folks should feel they can speak to anyone in our organization if they don’t feel respected or connected. More importantly, people must be able to communicate their concerns or sound the alarm when something is not correct. And they must feel protected. To me, this is the hallmark of a high-performing team.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a video game nerd and a softie at heart. I have a profound love for Japanese culture, I aspire to be a mental health counselor when I retire, and I host a podcast with four of my friends.
What do you like most about serving in the Air Force?
Helping people and protecting our nation. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t look forward to putting on my uniform. The Air Force has been extremely good to Team Council. I’m blessed to continue to serve!
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Wendy and I look forward to meeting everyone across the AFIMSC formation. I can’t wait to share an energy drink or coffee with each of you! HUA!
To learn more about Council’s career, read his official bio at www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3416749/dana-c-council.