Courtesy Photo | Command Chief Master Sgt. Jennie E. Bellerose, 194th Wing, Washington Air National Guard... read more read more
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Job: Command Chief, 194th Wing, Washington Air National Guard
Year joined military: 1989
College: Purdue University, Masters in Science, Health Education
What led you to join the guard? “I wanted to follow my father’s footsteps.”
Best experience in the guard? “Wow…so many to list. I would have to say that what brings me the most joy about being in the Guard is how we all pull together to take care of each when we need it. The Guard truly is a family and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
What are some of the other positions you’ve held here at the 194th? “Most of my Air Force career was with the Western Air Defense Sector. I came to the Wing in 2012 as the FSS Superintendent. It was one of my most rewarding assignments. The organization won several NGB-level awards for their outstanding work, participated in DOMOPs and reopened the Dining Facility everyone enjoys today.”
How has the guard impacted your life/family? “I am who I am today because of the Guard. The Guard has allowed me to support my family as a single parent, allowed myself and both of my kids to get a college education, and allowed me to build relationships with folks who will be in my life even after I retire.”
What are some goals you would like to accomplish as command chief? “My focus is all about personal and professional growth. We have amazing people in our organization, and I want to provide our Airmen with opportunities to become increasingly skilled and effective. We are developing a program to provide new opportunities for civilian-based professional development. I truly believe that if we focus on helping grow well-rounded people, the overall result will be resilient, motivated, highly skilled Airmen.”
What is a personal goal you’re currently working on? “My focus right now is to be the best Command Chief that I can be for the Airmen. I am truly honored to have been trusted to represent the men and women of the 194th, and I want to make you proud.”
Hobbies/interests? “Spending time at the gun range and baking.”
Tell us something interesting about yourself? “I’m a certified pastry chef and I coach gymnastics.”
Favorite quote or parting words? “My favorite quote is ‘Leadership is action, not position.’ I’m not sure where it originated, but my supervisor gave it to me when I was a staff sergeant (after I had just been non-selected in a promotion board to tech sergeant). The feedback I had received from the board was ‘it’s just not your time.’ I was frustrated with the feedback, because it didn’t give me anything that I could work on to be a better staff sergeant. My supervisor and I talked about it, and the next day he gave me a set of tech sergeant stripes with a sticky note that said, ‘leadership is action, not position.’ It was that moment that I realized that being a leader meant so much more then wearing the rank or being in a position. It was an attitude…so I changed my attitude and became a leader among my peers. I didn’t wait till someone else told me it was my time. This is reason you hear me say…‘perform at the rank you want to achieve and it will come.’ It’s about the attitude you choose to have, not the position you’re sitting in.”
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2019 17:34 |
| Story ID: | 306295 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 281 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Command Chief Jennie Bellerose discusses Guard career, goals, leadership, by SrA Mckenzie Airhart, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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