DVIDS – News – Ohio National Guard Chiefs Huddle 2024

CAMP PERRY, Ohio — Command Chief Master Sgt. Troy R. Taylor, Ohio Air National Guard state command chief, hosted the “Chief’s Huddle” at the Camp Perry Conference Center in Port Clinton, Ohio, Aug. 20-22, 2024. The annual event invites all chief master sergeants from across the state to network, share ideas, address issues and improve processes to better serve the enlisted ranks across the state. As state command chief, Taylor said he is hosting this event to improve the overall mission readiness of the entire enlisted ranks.

“When we get 92 chiefs in a room, we get answers. We start working our way from the strategic perspective to the operational one. Getting all of their perspectives helps me in my job as the State Command Chief.” Taylor said, “We talked about the challenges facing our modern Air Force and how we’re going to help our Airmen become the next generation of chiefs. We touched on areas where we need flexibility and areas where we need to maintain standards.” Taylor said the Chief’s Huddle serves several purposes, but one of the most important, he said, is to successfully execute the goals of our Ohio National Guard’s senior leadership. “Ohio is a big state in the Air National Guard, with four squadrons in the state and over 90 chiefs.” Taylor said, “That’s the power of this gathering, to come together and maximize those connections. Move the meter for the Ohio National Guard, the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force.”

This year there were special guest speakers including Chief Master Sgt. Jessica Settle, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Missouri Air National Guard.
There was also a briefing by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, some of whom have military backgrounds with the Ohio National Guard. The agents discussed how further cooperation between agencies can help prevent foreign interference in our national security interests, as well as the importance of interagency communication in domestic operations.
“As state commanders, we have the opportunity to serve on many national steering committees and make connections. Not every state has the leadership to support an event like this.” Taylor said, “I can assure you it’s worth the investment. We’re training strategic leaders and they’re making strategic connections here.”

Chief Settle spoke about how important it is for each of them to “find their why” and reminded them to be intentional about the time they have to serve as chief. Taylor said it is also important to him that they take the time to recognize their people. “The recognition dinner is also an important part of what we do.” Taylor said, “It is a tradition in the United States Air Force to salute our outgoing chiefs and welcome those who have recently joined our ranks.”

From each unit, several chiefs were honored who are retiring this year, one of whom was a Command Chief Master Sergeant.

Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Baumert, command chief of the 180th Fighter Wing, was the highest-ranking chief in the room. He entered active duty in the Air Force in March 1986, initially in the Ground Equipment Division and later joined the Ohio Air National Guard with the 180th Fighter Wing in 1993, where he was promoted to chief master sergeant in 2011. In January 2025, Chief Baumert will retire after nearly four decades of service.

“The networking that happens at events like this is incredible. Throughout my career as a Soldier with the 180th Fighter Wing, I didn’t think much about the other squadrons across the state. It’s easy to just focus on the mission of your department and your unit. I only thought about the maintenance group.” Baumert said, “When groups from across the state come together and share their perspectives, ideas and connections, it has a very positive impact on how we accomplish each mission in these squadrons.”

Baumert spoke about how much he has grown over the years since becoming chief in 2011. “When I first became chief, I thought it meant I had done a good job in maintenance. I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be chief. I’ve since learned that it’s a responsibility to be the voice of the entire force you represent. With that comes a seat at the table with the command staff. They want to know your opinion, it’s important to them. For me, speaking on behalf of all the Soldiers has been the most fulfilling thing.”

The newest chief in the room was Chief Master Sgt. Tabitha Bennett, 178th Operation Support Squadron, Springfield, Ohio. Bennett has been in the military for 23 years and was promoted on July 1, 2024.

“If I had to give advice to Airmen who want to become chief one day, I would say that what helped me the most was having a diverse range of experiences. I have been a member of three AFSCs (Air Force Specialty Codes) and in four different states, which has given me a very broad perspective.” Bennet said, “That’s the path I’ve taken. I’ve never been afraid to continue my education or even move to pursue opportunities in other states or other units. I understand that can be very difficult in the Guard because we are comfortable in the unit that may be close to home or where we have family, but I’ve found that those experiences have contributed to my growth and development today.”

At the conclusion of the annual meeting, the chiefs in attendance expressed hope that they can use what they learned from each other and apply it to missions this year and in the years to come.