Grand Forks Command Chief Master Sergeant reflects on 30 years service Published May 2, 2013 By Tim Flack 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The year was 1983. Charlie Pride was crooning "Why Baby Why" on local country stations. The rock channels had everyone humming along to "867-5309." Minimum wage was $3.35 an hour. Crowds were flocking to see Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, kids were playing hacky sack, and parachute pants were an unfortunate, yet wildly popular trend. Amid it all, 6-foot, 5-inch, David Carlson walked into an Air Force recruiter's office halfway through his senior year in high school and signed his name on the dotted line. His family had a strong connection to the U.S. military. His great grandfather, Army Pfc. Claude C. Davison, served in France during World War I and his grandfather, Tech. Sgt. Edward Leary, earned a Purple Heart and flew 105 combat missions during World War II. Carlson had one dream at 18 years old: to earn the right to wear the Security Forces beret. Fast-forward 30 years and Chief Master Sgt. David Carlson, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 319th Air Base Wing, could fill a book with stories of the things he's seen and done in his Air Force career -- including earning that beret back in 1983. Carlson sat down to discuss his career a few days before his retirement ceremony. Here are excerpts from that interview: Why the Air Force? When I was a kid, my uncle, Chief Master Sergeant Mike Leary would stop by our house from time to time on his many travels. I didn't know it at the time, but he was my initial inspiration for joining the Air Force. When I started dating Laurie in high school, her dad, a retired Navy Senior Chief, recommended I go into the Air Force too, so that sealed the deal. The one thing I hoped to achieve as a young recruit was to become a cop. While I am extremely proud of my achievements throughout the years, none stand our more than earning my Defender beret. It's my roots and foundation in the Air Force. That's home to me. What was life like in the Air Force in 1983? I came into a very robust Air Force. My first Security Police assignment was intimidating. My unit had 120-man flights and women were still not allowed to be in the career field back then. My area supervisor and flight chief were both Vietnam War veterans and it was a pretty tough crowd, but I had a great first supervisor who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. It was a much different atmosphere than it is now. We didn't come in expecting to go to Iraq and Afghanistan like the Airmen of today. After 1991 things changed dramatically. If you could travel back in time and sit down with 18-year-old Airman Basic David Carlson, what would you tell him? Commit yourself earlier to this great Air Force. I, like many young Airmen at that time, was just not sure if I would make a long term commitment to the Air Force. I would also tell AB Carlson to always to treat others as you would expect to be treated. Learn as much as you can from your supervisor...lean on his experience, and LISTEN! When did you decide to make the Air Force a career? That wasn't until I was a technical sergeant. At that point I knew it was for me. The person that had the most impact at that point was my father-in-law. I was married to his daughter so he certainly had a vested interest that we were going down the right path. I think he was probably the guy that pushed me the most. A changing Air Force In 1991 our Air Force changed for good. Our Airmen became focused on the Global War or Terrorism; they became expeditionary Airmen and our Air Force is much better because of it. Imagine these Airmen as senior leaders 20 years down the road. They've been there and done that. These are combat-tested Airmen. They've been on numerous deployments and they understand true sacrifice ... they're have experiences that we didn't have growing up. We are going to be a very strong Air Force for years to come. I would simply hate to be on the wrong end of their pointy spear. Taking care of the Airmen That's easy ... taking care of our Airmen makes my motor hum. Our Airmen are amazing and I have been honored to be part of this team for many years. I could have been done with this Air Force career a long time ago, but I love what I do: That's taking care of Airmen and their families so they can execute the mission. If we give our Airmen the tools to succeed and take care of their basic needs, they are unstoppable. We are successful, not because of all the shiny stuff on the ramp, but because of our outstanding Airmen. What advice would you give an Airman 1st Class who hopes to be a chief some day? Be yourself. Do what's right and push to exceed the standards. Learn from your mistakes, but don't make the same mistakes twice. Understand you are part of a greater team, and that team relies on you to execute your part of the mission. And you must never forget where you came from. You are never too senior or too important to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Relationships with the local community It is amazing. You take somebody like Honorary Chief Jim Bradshaw - he's a very busy man. But he finds time to be at many of our events. When Mr. Bradshaw takes the time to fly back from the west side of the state after a long day of work to be at the Airman Leadership School Graduation - to take that much time and effort ... well that ought to tell us something. People like Jim are true patriots. And you can go right down the list of our Ambassadors, Honorary Commanders and Military Affairs Committee members. They give to this installation and our Airmen like no other. Great community. Great ties. I don't think that will ever change. What's next for the Carlson family? Laurie and I will hang our hats in southern South Dakota to be closer to family and hopefully catch up on some lost years. And while our future can go in many directions, we like to follow some advice from Former President Bush. In an interview he once said 'I want to sprint to my grave.' I don't think any of us are built to slow-roll life. No matter what job or position we hold next, we will always have fond memories of the Air Force and I am truly proud to have been called an American Airman.