JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Greetings, Citizen Airmen! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chief Master Sgt. Tony Leavitt, and I have recently been appointed as your new command chief. What an honor this is for me to have earned the opportunity to lead and support the Airmen of the 459th Air Refueling Wing. I am originally from Coon Rapids, Minn. I now reside in the state of Georgia. Yes, I finally got tired of the cold, and having a wife who is originally from southern Virginia motivated me to relocate. Eva and I just hit our 20th anniversary last March. That’s almost as long as I’ve been in the Air Force. We met while stationed at RAF Mildenhall, UK. We have two children, Zackary who is 19 and pursuing a career in music production, and Katelynn who is 15 and loves playing instruments, drawing, and performing musicals at home. We also have three large and energetic dogs. I have a diverse Air Force career background spending time as a Combat Radio Maintainer, Medical Operations Specialist, Unit Training Manager, Budget Analyst, IG Inspector, Personnel, and Manpower Analyst. I have served on active duty, and as a traditional reservist and Air Reserve Technician in the Reserve.
You’re probably wondering “What is this guy here for and what can he do for me?” My primary responsibility is to advocate and advise on enlisted matters that impact operational effectiveness, and the organizing, training, and equipping of the enlisted force. I am also responsible for the enlisted force’s professional development, to include advocating for those developmental opportunities within and outside the wing. I will be working directly with your senior enlisted leaders and Senior NCOs to ensure you have what you need to be in a constant state of readiness and prepared to answer our nation’s call if need be. This includes AFSC training, health, morale, and quality of life conditions.
Here’s how I will fulfill my responsibilities. I will lead by example, not by exception. I will not ask you to do something I haven’t done or are not willing to do myself. How can you be a part of that? I expect you to actively participate in providing your unit leadership and me with feedback on how we can make you a more effective airman. You are the Air Force’s greatest weapon system and we as leaders need to know how to fuel the weapon. My door is always open. Why you? Because ultimately me being in this position is meant to be all about you, not me. You are the now and the future, and I need to guarantee you’re ready to step up when the time comes and well after I am gone. I look forward to working with you all. And let’s get after the fight!