Former command chief remembers career

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Aviano Air BASE, Italy --  Education is the foundation for every story written. As an Air Force chief master sergeant, education is a tool to write not only his story, but the story of every Airman he came into contact with.

For three decades, retired Chief Master Sgt. Don Schroeder moved through countless assignments, experienced both happy and painful moments and adapted to changes from a forever-growing Air Force, which guided him to his final position as a command chief.

On May 16, 1980, Schroeder a young 23-year-old, enlisted as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force.

"I really wanted to do something different," Schroeder said. "I was a mailman at the time and loved it, but I couldn't see myself doing it for 20 years. I saw the Air Force and knew I had to do it."

After completion of basic and technical training, the new Air Force firefighter moved to his first duty location: Royal Air Force Greenham-Common. According to Schroeder, his inspiration to become a firefighter was the result of the May, 1979, Beverly Hills Supper Club fire tragedy in northern Kentucky that took the lives of 165 people. Schroeder is a native of Covington, Ky.

After his second duty assignment, RAF Fairford, Schroeder decided he wanted another change in his life and cross-trained into education and training. Education would become the foundation for not only his military career, but his post-military life.

"While at Fairford, I started conducting fire prevention training for the base populace and really enjoyed it," Schroeder said. "Upon making staff sergeant, I had the opportunity to retrain into Education and Training under the Careers Program. I quickly volunteered so I could help Air Force personnel in more aspects than just fire prevention."

After cross-training, Schroeder transitioned through two more assignments including Robins AFB and RAF Lakenheath as an education and training manager before arriving at one of his favorite assignments -- Headquarters Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Bolling AFB.

"We would develop and create realistic scenarios to train the new agents," said Schroeder. "I loved playing the bad guy, it was the best part."

During the next several years, Schroeder progressed through the ranks and multiple education and training positions at Scott, McChord and Mountain Home air force bases. Mountain Home AFB became a particularly memorable duty station for him since it was where he was stationed on Sept. 11, 2001.

As a then newly promoted chief, Schroeder recalls the details of that day as if it were yesterday.

"Back then Mountain Home was known as one of two 911 wings for the Air Force," said Schroeder. "During 9/11 it was our turn to be the on-call wing, so as soon as the attack happened our base was activated to support the mission."

Working as a maintenance training flight chief at the time, Schroeder transitioned into war time operations, and with his staff assumed the role as the cargo deployment function.

"Our mission was to work with our aerial port to ensure the needed materials were getting processed and sent over to support the war," he said.

As the war overseas began to move forward, so did Schroeder. Leaving in Mountain Home AFB post 9/11, Schroeder moved on to his new position at RAF Alconbury as air mail terminal postal detachment chief, which meant he was responsible for all mail movement for Air Force military bases within the United Kingdom

RAF Alconbury would be Schroeder's last overseas assignment while on active duty, but he was elated to accept his next stateside assignment as the 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow AFB's command chief.

When asked how he felt about his selection for command chief Schroeder responded, "I was filled with both excitement and anticipation when I was selected to be a command chief, and completely humbled to have that opportunity."

Schroeder would serve as the command chief at two wings.

"I have always been about trying to make a difference and help people the best I can," he said. "First, and foremost, it has always been and continues to be about our Air Force and the people we serve."

While serving as the 17th TW command chief, Schroeder met two Airmen, SrA Brian Kolfage and A1C Elizabeth Jacobson who would change his outlook on the Air Force forever.

Jacobson lost her life and Kolfage sustained injuries, both in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"As the command chief, the commander and I had to notify the security forces squadron of Koflage's injuries and the death of Airman Jacobson," he said. "That was my first experience with that type of situation and the hardest. It really hit home of what we are here to do, and one reason why I continue to thank our SFS members for "doing what they do" as I enter any gate on our Air Force bases."

As if the responsibilities of being a command chief wasn't enough, between wing assignments Schroeder took an assignment as the vice commandant of the College for Enlisted Professional Military Education, which is now called the Barnes Center at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

On June 1, 2010, after 12 assignments, Schroeder retired from U.S. Air Force as the command chief of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB.

After three decades of service, Schroeder said one of his proudest moments was watching his son and grandson follow in his Air Force footsteps.

As a civilian, he continues to serve the Air Force within the education world. Working in education center, Schroeder serves as an education services specialist where his duties include conducting education briefs throughout the wing, facilitating higher education workshops for transitioning personnel, discussing GI Bill benefits with military and veterans, and assisting customers with their off duty education goals.

After years in the education environment, Schroeder also left service members with one last piece of advice.

"Remember we are here to serve our country and it's not about us," he said. "Be the best Airman you can be both on and off duty, get involved in the community and get your education. The better you make yourself, the better you make the Air Force."