Notes form the Executive for Enlisted Matters

Air Force Comptroller, Spring, 2008 by Joe Banks

I regret to inform you that this is my last article as the Executive for Enlisted Matters. Unfortunately, I PCSed at the end of January 2008.

My family recently learned that my dad has lung cancer. We originally thought it was operable, but after weeks of testing and visits to numerous doctors, we learned that it is not. Dad has been on radiation and chemotherapy for a little over six weeks now. He seems to be doing better, and though cancer is difficult to predict, we hope for the best.

Dad was the age I am now when I left home more than 25 years ago and, like any other military member, I have only seen him and the rest of the family once or twice a year. I need to take this time to get to know him again and be close to support the rest of my family.

I am very proud of Dad and know I learned my strong sense of service from him. Dad was a public servant most of his life. He started as a Centerville, Iowa police officer, quickly rose to the rank of Chief of Police and later became the longest serving County Sheriff in Appanoose County history. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so I can only hope that holds true for me.

This has truly been the best job of my Air Force career, and I've had several great jobs. Serving our Airmen scattered across the globe, both assigned and deployed, to ensure they are prepared for the next step in our FM evolution has been both challenging and rewarding. I will miss it. I now serve as the AMC Enlisted Comptroller Functional Manager, and my immediate family will follow me as soon as my daughter Nichole graduates in June. I look forward to living with my family again.

CMSgt Bryn LePine, previously the AETC Enlisted Comptroller Functional Manager, replaces me as the Executive for Enlisted Matters. Chief LePine comes to the position with a wealth of leadership and technical experience. He will do a great job as our next Enlisted Career Field Manager. He knows the Financial Management business and has experience of seeing FM from the outside as the Keesler AFB Support Group Superintendent. Please offer him the same respect and cooperation that you have always given me.

I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SERVING IN THE GREATEST AIR, SPACE, AND CYBERSPACE POWER THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN. WE COULD NOT BE THE POWER THAT WE ARE WITHOUT YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION. KEEP TAKING CARE OF OUR CEOs (CIvILIANS, ENLISTED, AND OFFICERS). SEE YOU AROUND OUR GREAT AIR FORCE!