Inside the command chief position Published April 30, 2007 By Airman Alex Martinez 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Their rank consists of five stripes on the bottom, three on top and a star that sits comfortably between. If there is one position on Air Force bases that stands out among enlisted members, it's the command chief master sergeant. When a command chief is present, Airmen know the position they hold has not come easy and has allowed them to see many sides of the service. If service members just entering the Air Force find themselves thinking they're at the bottom of the barrel, the command chief can remind them they were once there, too, and give reassurance that with time and hard work, they can reach that level in their military career as well. What does the command chief do exactly? Although it seems to come with many perks like attending base events and touring different squadrons, like the rest of their career up until this point, a day in the life of a command chief master sergeant is not a walk in the park. After all, he does drink about five cups of coffee a day, and no, they're not small cups. "My job consists of everything under the sun," said Chief Master Sergeant David Green, 90th Space Wing command chief. "I'm Col. [Mike] Carey's adviser on enlisted members and the wing-level representative for all enlisted members. I advocate on their behalf and make sure the policies they come up with make sense." Those jobs alone can equal a lot of work and time for one person, but this is not all the command chief does. In an average day, it's not unusual for Chief Green to receive numerous e-mails, constantly keeping in contact with Warren and local agencies. The command chief works closely with the local community and events such as the Cheyenne Military Affairs Committee luncheon where military leadership and local key community leaders meet to maintain strong bonds with each other. "Events like that are critical," Chief Green said. "We need to portray ourselves as good citizens of the Cheyenne area. If we don't have the support of the downtown folks, it makes for a contentious relationship." Upcoming events, concerns and progress with current projects are discussed at events such as the MAC luncheon. Enlisted Airmen's voices can be heard by senior leadership through the command chief; he represents the enlisted force. "My most important role as command chief is being the overall advocacy for the enlisted core," Chief Green said. "We are the largest portion of the force." Another significant role for the command chief is to keep the morale of Airmen up. Attending base events and ceremonies and speaking to Airmen are routine duties. "My favorite role as command chief would be attending the awards and promotion ceremonies," Chief Green said. When it comes time for Airmen to be promoted for the below-the-zone program, Chief Green plays a role on the selection board of non-commissioned officers in selecting the outstanding Airmen. And the list can go on. Command chiefs play a critical role in Air Force bases, and Chief Green certainly does at Warren. When Chief Green is visiting another command, attending a conference or on leave, the show must continue, and other enlisted members fill the position and complete the command chief duties. "I have one of the group superintendents come up and help when I'm gone," Chief Green said. "It's a training tool for them." Being a chief comes with many experiences and memories, and only the brightest ones stand out in their careers. "What stands out in my job is the excellence that is displayed here at Warren on a daily basis," Chief Green said.