An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Command chief bids Team Goodfellow farewell

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anne Gathua
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty eight years ago, Frederick Ricker left Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, as a fresh Airman; eager and excited to begin his Air Force career - a journey that has taken him all over the world serving his country. Today is the last day for 17th Training Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Ricker as he leaves Goodfellow and returns to where it all began; this wearing the highest enlisted rank.

"Though bitter-sweet, with some hesitance and sense of regret that my next duty station will be my last, it's exciting for me to end my career where it started," said Chief Ricker who will be the command chief master sergeant of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "Just to be able to witness the Airmen we train at Goodfellow perform in the operational Air Force is something that I really look forward to."

The Jersey City, N.J., native said he is very grateful to have had mentors who inspired him to be the best he could be throughout his career.

"I still think about my supervisor Tech. Sgt. Larry D. Foster because of the way he mentored me to become a better Airman without me even realizing it," the chief said. "Maj. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins, who I worked for at Pacific Air Forces, and retired Chief Master Sgt. Stan Sanders are others who greatly inspired me."

Chief Ricker attributes his inspiration to the junior Airmen he comes into contact with every day.

"They are the ones who inspire me to be a better chief because they truly are the future of our Air Force," he said. "I strongly believe no Airman should ever leave the Air Force, whether it's a 4- or 30-year stint, the same way they came in, or without sharing the knowledge they have gained. It should not take today's Airmen 28 years to learn what it took 28 years for me to learn. Having this knowledge and experience and being able to share that with today's Airmen is what I bring to the fight."

Chief Ricker said he really enjoys talking to young Airmen.

"Their energy, enthusiasm and naivety inspire me especially when I watch their eyes light up and know I've just connected with them. That gives me joy more than anything else I do day to day," he said.

With an associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees under his belt, Chief Ricker said education and job performance are vital to be successful in the military.

"Strive to get your education by taking advantage of the myriad of opportunities the Air Force offers and perform the best you can at whatever job you do," he said. "It sounds simplistic but in reality that's all we can ask you to do. When you do that, you show the commitment to excellence and the service before self which, in turn, shows your supervisors and commanders that you're ready for increased responsibility. That's how you get recognized and what separates you from your peers."

Graduating high school with a 1.6 grade point average and barely making it into the Air Force, Chief Ricker didn't hesitate when it came to taking advantage of the opportunities the Air Force affords.

"I grabbed those opportunities and everyone else can do the same," he said. "The Air Force didn't give me a degree, they gave me an opportunity to obtain one, and with my sweat and time, I managed to achieve those educational milestones."

Emphasizing that knowledge is the one thing that nobody can take away from you, Chief Ricker said that as long as you have that, you will always have a leg to stand on, whether it be for future jobs in the Air Force or being a productive member of society.

"Knowledge is truly the key to success and there's no better institution in the world to get your education than the United States Air Force," he said.

Chief Ricker said he would like people to understand that being a chief is not the end all. A lot of enlisted members have a very successful career and retire as master sergeant. Only three percent of the Air Force can be an E-8 or E-9 at any given time.

"It's great to set that goal and have the milestones to reach it, but if you don't, it doesn't mean that you're unsuccessful," he said.

After two years at Goodfellow, Chief Ricker said his experience has been very memorable

"What stands out for me when I think of Goodfellow is how the community takes care of its own," he added. "I will always remember the way they rallied to raise money to repair and replace some of the things an Airman lost in a fire when her house burned down; the Airman who was involved in a car accident and how the community held a fundraising so the family could be taken care of while in town. And when we lost an Airman and a couple of Soldiers, the out-pouring of support from the Goodfellow and San Angelo community was remarkable. It's a very close-knit relationship that I've never seen before. I will always remember the way everyone steps out and becomes selfless in times of need."

The chief said his time at Goodfellow has been very rewarding because he sees the wing creating the future of our Air Force in the ISR and firefighting career fields. He said that being able to support that mission has truly been a tremendous experience.

"I just hope is some small way I was able to make a difference," he said. "Our AETC Commander likes to say, 'make the camp grounds better than you found it' ... I think we've done that during my time as the 17th TRW Command Chief."

Chief Ricker urged leaders and supervisors to always let everybody know how important they are to the mission and the fight, and that their job, no matter what career field, is very important.

"We always talk about quality of life, but how about the quality of mission at their work centers?" he asked. "It's important to make sure they have the right tools and training, and that they are properly supervised and recognized."

Chief Ricker said one thing he has learned from Airmen is how far a simple thank you can go in someone's life.

"Just reaching out and taking a moment to talk to them and say hello makes such a big difference in their lives," he said. "They want to know they are appreciated and that is one of the things I'm sure we can do more of. We are always quick to scold and correct. Supervisors should know that our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines come to work wanting to do the right thing. Just because they do not meet your expectation doesn't mean they didn't give it their all. Our job is to make sure they are appreciated and that we set them up for success."

Chief Ricker said as he thinks back, he looks at all the opportunities he has had to serve his country, whether stateside or overseas in a combat zone, the opportunities of meeting different people from all over the world, obtaining his education and providing a better life for his family makes him grateful to be an American.

Urging his Airmen to reach out and find it in themselves to learn as much as they possibly can, Chief Ricker said everyone at every skill level matters.

"Have an understanding of the bigger picture," he concluded. "Every airman has a responsibility to do the best they can. Strive to better yourself and take advantage of all the opportunities available. Motivate and encourage yourself, don't wait for someone to do it for you. Find it from within and become not only the best Airman but the best American you possibly can."