BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Command Chief Master Sgt. Glenda Chambliss-Reddick of the Alabama Air National Guard will be retiring from the military soon with more than 37 years of service. She has served as the AL ANG Command Chief since February 2014.
Something she feels is important for Airmen serving today is to always be prepared.
“Be ready,” she said. “Be ready to receive your next promotion by meeting professional military education requirements and be ready to deploy at the drop of a hat by having a family readiness plan updated and personal affairs in order at all times.”
With short-notice deployments becoming more common, it is important to ensure service members’ families are prepared for the absence of a Guardsman during a deployment. By keeping family informed about duty and having a solid plan in place, Airmen can alleviate some of the difficulties and stressors associated with separation due to deployments. It is also essential to be medically qualified for duty and physically fit to meet mission requirements. “Being ready” should be a mindset that Guardsmen have.
She first enlisted in the Alabama Air National Guard in 1980 as a telecommunications operator. At that time in her life, educational benefits and the paycheck she would receive were motivating factors to take the oath of enlistment. As she advanced through the ranks, her drive turned to the fulfillment and responsibility she felt in taking care of Airmen.
“As people progress in their careers, it’s not only about the weekend they come in for unit training assemblies,” said Reddick. “As I progressed through the ranks, it became more about the responsibility of taking care of my Airmen. I work part-time with the National Guard but I am constantly responding to the needs of Airmen during the week.”
A sense of determination is necessary to accomplish any goals someone feels are important to them. When people set out to fulfill their goals, it’s not often easy and at times may cause a feeling of being overwhelmed by work, but grit and a strong work ethic can assist them in meeting their aspirations.
“I didn’t know what a weekend was when I went to school for my MBA; between classes, work, homework, weekly meetings and the Air National Guard, I had little spare time,” said Reddick. “If people want to get ahead in life, they have to put in the hard work and prioritize what is important to them to accomplish the things they set out to do.”
Reddick earned her MBA from Troy University in 1993.
With what goes in to successfully balancing a career in the military with personal goals and family responsibilities, it is important to realize the interactions and opportunities the Air National Guard can provide.
She feels fortunate to have been able to experience parts of the world and meet people that she would have never met without her military service. On an annual tour in Denmark, she had her first exposure to life outside the United States. The sense of reliance members had with each other to meet the challenges of limited communication with the local populace enhanced her view of being a member of the Air National Guard.
“Just enjoy the experience,” said Reddick. “I would have never had this experience just living in my hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. They paid me to do a job and they trained me how to do a job and from there you teach others and keep passing it on.”