I Think I’m Taking It All In
It was 2014 when then Master Sergeant Becky Thomas became Superintendent of the 5th Medical Operations Squadron at Minot Air Force Base. Her service time at Minot Air Force Base would also include being Program Manager of Task Force True North from June of 2018 until February of 2019, and 5th Medical Group Superintendent from February of 2019 until January of 2023 when she deployed to Germany.
During our interview we discovered that Chief Thomas and her family lived just a few blocks from the Wilson family in the Bel Air School neighborhood during her previous time in Minot, and that she became a Chief Master Sergeant at Minot Air Force Base in 2018.
In a previous interview with CMSgt Thomas, she shared that her family wanted to come back to Minot and Minot Air Force Base.
Although Chief Thomas’ time back at Minot Air Force Base was fairly short when we did our interview she shared “Minot is fantastic and the 91st Missile Wing is fantastic, and I’m never going to step away from that. You know it’s been really good and even though it’s been a short time it feels like it’s really going by fast” shares Thomas “I’m learning a lot on this side of the house that’s new to me. Everyone here are professionals. They understand that I’m new and that I’m bringing outside perspectives.” Thomas said that Team Minot has made her feel super welcome. Col Chapman has been able to share perspective of someone who has been part of the 91st for over a year and has taken the time to bring Chief Thomas into the fold of all the things that have been happening and are still in the works.
“What I’ve been quickly able to see is the trust that Col Schlabach has for the Airmen. It’s a really great environment to be in. I’ve discovered how important this base and its operation is. It’s been good, but it’s been a whirlwind” says Thomas.
How do you convince Airmen about the importance of this base, and give them, if you will, a little bit of swagger for the job they do?
Chief Thomas: “Swagger is definitely a good word, but really it’s sharing as much perspective as you can. They know that the job I am doing, if I am doing something wrong, they notify the president. So sometimes they get that swagger by just asking them, what did it take to become a Team Chief? I think just letting them talk about what they are doing and why they are doing it and really letting them have the opportunity to answer questions until they tell you how big it is and how what they are doing is hugely important. I don’t think at their age that I had nearly that much weight on my shoulders.” Says Chief Thomas.
Is it a true statement that what Airmen are walking into today is a lot different than what you may have walked into even a few years back?
Chief Thomas: “Every community is different. But this one (91st MW) is so great. Everybody relies on the team and everyone on the team counts. So, I hope that their story today, as it was back a few years ago is that this has been a terrific job, and an opportunity for everyone to come in here and be part of a great community. I’ve been in for over 25 years and my journey has been amazing. I’ve always been part of a community where I was able to have the opportunity to talk to my bosses and to have the opportunity to understand what they are looking for and to ask questions. For that I have been fortunate.
At your Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony, Col Schlabach apologized to your family for the time that they (the 91st MW) would take you away from them. Is that an important gesture?
Chief Thomas: Well, that’s an acknowledgement, and I think it is important to commit to the families. Right before Col Schlabach walks in to the ceremony I was loading people’s phone numbers in my phone and also putting their spouses name in there if they have a spouse listed. When you get to know them and their family and what they are going against, and just being aware that they don’t have a family, they also still need community and people to take care of them; and if you’re taking them away for work you need to know what you are taking them away from.
So where did you become Chief?
Chief Thomas: I actually made Chief right here at Minot Air Force Base. I also made Senior Master Sergeant at Minot Air Force Base. So, when I tell people you are coming to this (MAFB) base, I tell them that this base can be amazing for you professional development and growth. I tell them that I grew right here in Minot. I actually spent the majority of my Senior NCO days right here at Minot Air Force Base.
Let’s talk about your position.
Chief Thomas: So it’s the pulse. The Commander is ultimately one responsible and accountable for taking care of things good or bad. Your Chief and your First Sergeants, because it’s done together, and the rest of your staff, your leadership coming up, are there to help you with problems and to fix them so that you are organized properly and trained properly and equipped to conduct your job and be as successful as you can be. And we’re also the true tellers on there. Sometimes if things are not good it’s easier to tell me when I have no authority to ruin your career. Or I’m there to absorb it, take the badness that you’ve got, and talk you through it.
Chief Thomas is happy that she was finally able to unpack her Minot home with her husband, Dietrich Thomas, who spent 22 of his 26 years at Minot Air Force Base. Her kids are 25, 20, 12 & 6. She has a daughter at Memorial and a son at North Plains Elementary this year.
