At Minot Air Force Base, leadership often extends far beyond the workplace. For Chief Master Sergeant Taiwanna Dunn, that leadership is rooted not only in supporting Airmen, but also in building a strong, connected family. Alongside her is her daughter, Tamryn Dunn, a freshman at Minot North High School who balances academics, athletics, and friendships while growing up in a military household. She serves as the First Sergeant of the 23rd Bomber Generation Squadron and is supported by her husband, SMSgt Rodney Dunn of the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron, along with their son Tahj Kinney, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Nevada, and their daughter Tamryn Dunn, a 15-year-old freshman at Minot North High School.
As a first sergeant, Chief Dunn’s days are unpredictable and often demanding. “I am a first sergeant so I haven’t had a normal in about 4.5 years,” she explained. Her mornings begin early—“I wake up at 3:30 to go to the gym, set my goals for the day, [and] spend time with my family”—before dedicating the rest of her day to helping others.
Despite the demands of her position, Chief Dunn places a strong emphasis on family. “I always prioritize my family,” she said. Over time, her family has developed a system centered on communication and support. “We have set a tone for the kids to let us know when something is meaningful so we can make sure we attend and drop everything to be there.” This mutual understanding extends to her husband as well. “We don’t ask each other for a lot, so we make it a point to support each other above all,” she explained, adding that her ability to serve effectively depends on maintaining that foundation at home.
The values she carries from her work are the same ones she reinforces with her family. “Character,” she said, is the most important. “The value of having good character is preached in our home.” That focus on character and growth has influenced not only her leadership style, but also the way her children approach their own lives.
At home, that same mindset is visible in her relationship with her daughter. “My daughter and I are very similar. She is just better,” she said. She admires “the confidence she has in herself, the boundaries she sets, and the way she advocates for herself and others.” Their connection allows both of them to continue developing, as she described it, “through a lens of growth & gratitude.”
For Chief Dunn’s daughter, Tamryn Dunn, those lessons are part of everyday life. As a student and volleyball player, she is used to managing a full schedule. “I’ve always been someone who manages a tight schedule even when I was younger,” she said, noting that her mom helps her stay on track. At the same time, she recognizes the importance of balance. “I mostly enjoy hanging out with my friends,” she said. “I understand education is important but it can be boring at times, and my friends help motivate me.”
Growing up in a military family has also shaped her perspective. “Being a military child has made me someone who expects many things to be short lived,” she explained. Rather than seeing that negatively, she views it as motivation. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing, [it] just means I need to live in the moment more.”
Her mother’s achievements have also influenced her outlook. “My mom hitting a milestone as chief makes me want to make some amazing achievements as well,” she said. That motivation has already translated into success, including one of her proudest accomplishments: “qualifying for state in my FCCLA club with my star event.”
The bond between mother and daughter is one of the strongest elements of their story. “It’s not easy to explain,” Tamryn said, “but in everything I do I feel my mother with me every step of the way.” Even when they are apart, that connection remains. “We’re a package deal… our duo is pretty indestructible against anything.”
Chief Dunn reinforces that connection through the lessons she strives to model. “Everything starts with self,” she said, emphasizing “self-love, self-awareness, self-respect, [and] self-worth.” At the same time, she encourages qualities like selflessness and initiative, creating a balance between personal growth and caring for others.
Together, Chief Taiwanna Dunn and Tamryn Dunn demonstrate how leadership at home and in the workplace can shape not only individual success, but also the strength of a family. Through discipline, communication, and shared values, they continue to support each other while pursuing their own goals, proving that leadership is not just about what you accomplish, but who you lift along the way.
