Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Loretta Washington didn't get to where she is today by going easy on anyone — least of all herself.
Washington, the superintendent of the 355th Medical Support Squadron, became a chief master sergeant earlier this year — a rank that is the pinnacle of the enlisted force, attainable by only the top 1%. It takes hard work, superior performance and many years for any airman; for Washington, it's been a long journey in more ways than one.
Job Title:
Superintendent
Stationed:
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Unit:
355th Medical Support Squadron
From watching her parents work in the fields of New Zealand, and from her own career path in the Air Force for the past 25 years, Washington understands that the best way to succeed in life is to be determined and unrelenting.
"I am the first of my family to join the U.S. military, become an American citizen, a college graduate, travel the world and I am the first female Samoan chief master sergeant in the Air Force," she says.
First, But Not Alone
Still, her path to chief "was never mine alone," Washington says. "I am humbled every day to work alongside airmen who make up our great Air Force."
As a leader, she believes the first step in keeping the Air Force great is to ensure her airmen are taken care of. "People often mistake my personality as being aggressive, but I am just assertive in matters that concern my airmen's growth," she says.
She hopes her own commitment to hard work and perseverance will be passed on to her airmen, allowing them to meet or exceed her expectations and reach their full potential.
'Marathon Coach'
"To me, Chief Master Sgt. Washington is like an Air Force marathon coach; she picks you up when you can't run anymore and pushes you forward," said Tech. Sgt. Gabriela Gonzales, 355th MDSS Resource Management Office flight chief. "It can be painful sometimes but she will be running right beside you, pushing you to be the best you can be.
"Her transparency and her motto, 'I expect nothing but the best from my airmen' has stuck with me all these years."
Washington has made an impression with her own leaders too.
"She demands superior performance and is involved with her airmen at all levels," Chief Master Sgt. Susan Hale, superintendent of the 355th Medical Group, said. "Her squadron is tougher, better and further developed due to her hands-on leadership."
A Chief's Charge
Washington describes her leadership role in simple terms. "My own charge as a chief is to make more chiefs," she says.
"My dream was to become a chief and make my father proud. Each airman has their own goals; my job is to make those dreams a reality."
Adapted from an article by Airman 1st Class Sari Seibert, 355th Wing Public Affairs.