Day in the life of a chief

  • Published
  • By Maja Z. Stevanovich
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Relationship building and communication skills are the key to being successful in the human resources field. Being a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, it is safe to say you are in the human resources business.

For Chief Master Sgt. Laura Hopkins, command and control superintendent for Air Force Global Strike Command, prioritizing and being well versed in multi-tasking become the other crucial elements of being successful. She is familiar with both of those concepts having served in the Air Force for 24 years.

"Taking care of your people and knowing your job will get you that chief's stripe," said Hopkins.

There is no such thing as a typical day in the life of a chief, but each is filled with trouble shooting and ensuring the needs of one's team are met, said Hopkins. On a day-to-day basis, Hopkins is the functional manager for the Air Force Global Strike command post, battle mangers and satellite operators, ensuring personnel issues, assignment and unit manning levels are all met.

When not handling personnel or manning issues, Hopkins is addressing Air Force headquarters and AFGSC policies or policy development, in addition to reviewing enlisted performance reports and decorations.

The most rewarding part of the job is the people and working to resolve issues for Airmen, said Hopkins.

To be successful in this job, understanding value of mentorship is important, said Hopkins.

"When you have great mentorship, you know it, and when you don't you need to get it," she said. "Mentorship comes from different directions, and mentors don't always outrank me. Many peers are mentors and I go to subordinates for a vector check too," she added.

Taking care of one's people is the other important ingredient in being successful, said Hopkins.

"Taking care of your people means working to get them recognized for the great work they do. People say it all the time because it is true, when you take care of your people, they will take care of you," she added.

Hopkins is currently pursuing a master's degree in ecology from the University of Idaho. "I am a big education advocate, it is what sets Airmen apart from the rest of the pack," she said.

Hopkins is also active in the Air Force Sergeants Association and the Barksdale's Chief's Group.