Top AFRC chief seeks healthy lifestyles for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andre Bowser
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Seeing today's Airmen lead healthy lives was at the core of the message of the Air Force Reserve Command's command chief during a recent visit with the 944th Fighter Wing.

Chief Master Sergeant Dwight D. Badgett made a trip to Luke Air Force Base Jan. 7 and remained for two eventful days during the fighter wing's unit training assembly.

It was his eighth such visit to a wing during as many months in his capacity as the top enlisted Airman in AFRC.

Chief Badgett said he has set a goal to visit all 36 wings in AFRC, and he touted the significance of every Airman staying "fit to fight."

According to Chief Master Sergeant Pablo Valverde, 944th Fighter Wing command chief, his comrade has made an outstanding effort to reach out to Airmen on a professional and personal level, by meeting with them in several small groups during his visit to Luke Air Force Base, as well as other wings.

"Everywhere we went, people were prepared and ready to meet with him and ask him questions," Chief Valverde said.

One of the biggest concerns on the mind of Chief Badgett is physical readiness, Chief Valverde said.

"Chief Badgett has always stressed the importance of meeting with and encouraging Airmen to strive for excellence," Chief Valverde said. 

Through his illustrious career spanning nearly three decades, he has steadily placed Airmen at the forefront of his mind,

"Every issue or question I come across, I keep that in the back of my mind,"
he has said in previous interviews regarding the readiness and welfare of all Airmen. "How will this affect our Airmen, and how does it affect our ability to accomplish the mission?"

Chief Badgett met with several groups of Airmen of the 944th FW and discussed their concerns; he also learned innovative ways of achieving the wing's mission to train, fight and win.

Many Airmen present at the meeting expressed curiosity about physical readiness standards, and showed their willingness to strive to exceed those standards, Chief Valverde said.

"They were very interested in learning about the standards and to go beyond them," he said.

During his visit, Chief Badgett attended an enlisted breakfast, met with different units within the wing, including senior leaders, and even found time to take to the sky. 

The chief said after taking an F-16 flight during his visit that he had a new appreciation for what fighter pilots go through, and why they need to be in tip-top shape.

Perhaps on a topic closest to home for him, Chief Badgett also commented to a group of Airmen that their health and physical readiness was important to two groups of people: their Air Force Reserve family and the loved ones they leave at home each day the serve the country.

He said it was important to always return to both by leading a healthy lifestyle.

"I want to see you when you retire living healthy and playing with your grandkids," he told the Airmen.