New command chief takes reigns, leads by example

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matt Moorman
  • 916th ARW/ PA
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base --  Fourteen years of being a first sergeant would seem the perfect training for a command chief master sergeant. In the case of newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Lester Boltinhouse it was.
After many years of service as the 916th Air Refueling Wing's Command Chief Master Sergeant., Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Smith retired during the September 2006 Unit Training Assembly. Chief Boltinhouse proudly accepted the reigns for the 916th enlisted corps on Sunday, Sept. 10th, he tacked on chief the day before during the annual family picnic with the AFRC Command Chief and Numbered Air Force Command Chief doing the honors.
Chief Boltinhouse comes highly-touted as a qualified and capable replacement for an equally qualified and capable Chief Smith.
"His reputation is outstanding," said Col. Paul J. Sykes, wing commander. "He's somebody who really goes out of his way, 24 hours a day, all year long to make sure his folks over at Civil Engineering - or anyone else he's involved with - are well taken care of."
Chief Boltinhouse is also well-regarded by other senior enlisted leadership throughout the wing. For instance, Senior Master Sgt. Barbara Haynes, first sergeant of the 916th Maintenance Operations Flight and self-proclaimed disciple of the new chief, has known him since they were both young Airmen in the 916th CES together.
Sergeant Haynes said Chief Boltinhouse has been at the forefront of all wing affairs for years, whether by necessity or his own desire to serve.
"I can tell you without a doubt that Chief Boltinhouse is the epitome of the Air Force Core Values," said Sergeant Haynes. Service Before Self being at the top of the list.
In fact, it is that willingness to serve that has put him in such high and trusted regard with wing leaders. Lt. Col. Kerri Grimes, commander of the 916th CES said, "His main qualifications include being in touch with the enlisted force of the 916th, caring about their concerns and being completely focused and driven to resolve them."
"He strives to do his best all the time and instill in others, through his unselfishness, that same pride and dedication." said Lt. Col. Timothy Lamb, deputy commander of the 916th Mission Support Group "His integrity is without a doubt just completely beyond reproach."
Chief Boltinhouse also has years of experience in the field. He's been deployed many times and in many different capacities. Especially valuable is his wealth of experience in the joint forces arena, according to Chief Smith.
When asked about his successor, Chief Smith said, "I know he's going to do a good job, there's no doubt about that."
Chief Boltinhouse told the crowd gathered at family day that when he left active duty in the mid-80s if someone would have told him that one day he'd be a command chief he would have thought they were crazy.
Today he stands as a role model for all enlisted members, a trusted advisor to wing leadership and a positive pillar and true testament to what the United States Air Force Reserve has to offer.