JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The words spoken to Airmen at the enlisted call May 3 were some that should not be forgotten.
The new Joint Base San Antonio command chief explained his belief in which respect is not a one-way street; you must give respect in order to get it.
"You stand up for me out of respect, but as a matter of fact, I stand up for you too," Chief Master Sgt. Jose LugoSantiago, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio command chief master sergeant, said at the Airman's enlisted call. "I stand up out of respect for you, who you are, what you have gone through and what you represent, and that is the best of the best in the Air Force."
Compliments and a positive tone of voice were two things that were far from left out of the new command chief's message.
"I am a member of your fan club," he said. "Whenever you stand up, stand up tall and proud. We built this heritage so you could have a future."
Although the Air Force has many great benefits, overcoming diversity, judgment and struggle are all things this Puerto Rico-born chief has had to do throughout his 22-year career.
"Give yourself to everything you do," LugoSantiago said. "When opportunity knocks on the door, open it and embrace what is there."
Speaking of opportunity and being different, he spoke about what he thought of the joint basing between Randolph, Lackland and Fort Sam Houston.
"We get to work hand-in-hand with the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and civilians," he said. "You get to work with all of the other branches, start understanding our mission and in essence, make yourself a better warrior. No one is the same; what a great thing to be different and be able to bring that to the team."
Referring to when he was a military training instructor, LugoSantiago took hold of his ABU blouse and explained to the audience that although being in the military might be hard at times, overcoming difficult situations is what helps wire Airman for success.
"You have to deserve to wear this uniform," he said.
Leadership is something LugoSantiago stressed during his enlisted call.
"We expect leadership from you," he said to the Airmen in attendance. "I expect leadership from you."
He defined the word "leader" as someone who provides direction and serves others.
"When I hear 'air power', I think H-E-I-R, heir power. I think of you," he said. "I want to be inspired by you."
In conclusion, he reminded the audience how they are all wired for success.
"I want them to be the person who crafts their journey," he said.