Photo By Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Gutierrez | Chief Master Sgt. Tony R. Crockett rank is pinned on by his wife, Sarah Crockett and...... read more read more
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EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – Joining the military was a natural thing for Tony Crockett. Growing up, he watched his grandfather work as an aircraft mechanic for 38 years.
“He influenced me and two of my cousins,” said Chief Master Sgt. Tony R. Crockett, the 184th Attack Squadron senior enlisted leader. “We grew up coming to the base, and the 188th Wing has been part of our family my entire life.”
Crockett enlisted in 1997 and joined the 188th Wing as a vehicle body repairman. He went on to be a jet engine mechanic, an A-10 aircraft mechanic, an A-10 crew chief, and then transitioned again to be a sensor operator for the MQ-9 mission. Throughout the years, it was the people he worked with who made him want to stay and not get out.
“I have so many connections with members of the unit,” said Crockett. “They have become my family, and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Along the way, he had the opportunity to work for several leaders who mentored him and taught him valuable lessons. One person was CMSgt. Donald Frederick, the former 188th Wing command chief.
“I asked Chief Frederick his secret to success years ago,” said Crockett. “He told me, ‘surround yourself with good people, take care of them and they will take care of you.’”
As he thinks about Chief Frederick’s words of wisdom, Crockett gives upcoming enlisted leaders his own advice and it’s all about caring for people.
“Without people, there is no mission,” said Crockett. “If your people don’t have the training they need, resources (days, pay, medical, etc.), are not happy with their positions (job satisfaction), and have issues outside the work area (personal life), then the mission will struggle. If everyone is taken care of and operating at their full potential the mission, no matter what it is, will succeed!”
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.09.2022 12:39 |
| Story ID: | 432970 |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | GREENWOOD, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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