LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
At the end of his first day as commander of the 37th Training Wing on a hot July afternoon in 2009, Col. William H. Mott V was amazed by Lackland's diversity. He summed up that whirlwind day with "It's been fun."
Nearly two years later, there they were again - fun and diversity - as the commander reflected on his time at Lackland.
"The diversity of what we do is what makes it so easy to be enthusiastic about (this job)," Colonel Mott said. "This wing has so many things going on; you just have to dive in and not be afraid to affect this or that.
"That's what has been fun about it."
When Colonel Mott passes the 37th TRW guidon to Col. Eric Axelbank at the parade grounds Monday behind wing headquarters, it will signal not only a change of command. The ceremony, which begins at 9 a.m., also means a change of life for the outgoing commander.
After 26 years active duty, Colonel Mott begins the transition to retirement understanding what he was once told about the 37th TRW: it's a hard act to follow.
"It's so diverse, it's so interesting, and it's so impactful," he said. "It just seemed right (to retire). I put on the uniform at 17 in the Air Force Academy, so that's 30 years for me in blue."
Colonel Mott leaves an indelible footprint on the 37th TRW. His vision statement, "Shape the Air Force with Warrior Airmen of Character," has been incorporated throughout the 37th, the largest training wing in the Air Force.
He made bringing character development to the forefront a priority since his arrival.
"I knew it was here, it just wasn't on display," Colonel Mott said. "It was woven in.
"It jumped out at me and I've been very fortunate to have the group commanders agree and sponsor it. I hope this focus on character development at the basics of Airman training will make a difference."
Another focus for Colonel Mott has been on the squadron commanders. He created a monthly leadership forum specifically for squadron commanders, informal gatherings that covered a wide range of topics on and off base.
The forums were designed to enhance their Lackland experience and expand their leadership skills.
"I had a boss when I was a squadron commander who said, 'I don't run this airfield, the squadron commanders do. My squadron commanders are the ones who do things, I just get the credit. I get to give them the vision and have fun,'" Colonel Mott said.
"I realized (from that) the success of the organization goes down to the squadron commander. I've tried to encourage them and give them the same thing I got when I was a squadron commander. Like the (Gen.) George Patton quote: 'Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.' So true."
Even with a $50 million annual budget and ongoing multi-million dollar projects, it was a relatively inexpensive purchase than stands out to the commander.
"My best purchase has been the big flag (behind wing headquarters at the parade grounds)," he said.
"I know about 3,000 families are coming to BMT graduation every week, and the big flag is going to be one of the first things they see. It makes you proud to be an American, and yet it didn't cost $50,000."
Colonel Mott said being the 37th TRW commander has been his most challenging job, yet the most rewarding. Hosting an infinite number of distinguished visitors, both domestic and foreign, has changed his perspective of Lackland.
"This base is the showplace for the United States Air Force," Colonel Mott said. "I never really thought about it until I got here. I thought we just did a parade every week; that's only a small portion.
"Everybody talks about how we shape 40,000 Airmen a year. Actually, no, we shape opinion (from our tours). The comical thing about it is we really don't worry too much about it. We just do it because we're so proficient at it and because our product here is so good.
"This is a pretty amazing operation."