TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Looking back on a career that spans over 27 years, Air Force Sustainment Center Command Chief Master Sgt. Robert Schultz has always been motivated by family and being part of a team.
Schultz enlisted in 1996 as an Air Transportation Specialist and has held numerous leadership positions, his favorite being as a first sergeant while stationed in Japan.
“Being able to take care of Airmen in a deployed environment was a great honor for me. Deployments have always been my favorite time while serving,” said Schultz.
Schultz was able to spend over 15 consecutive years overseas while serving and got to see and experience some amazing things.
“Being able to see other countries and cultures was very eye-opening. My children were born overseas and spent 14 years abroad before they first lived in the United States. I’m glad they got that experience, it shaped their view of the world in a good way,” said Schultz.
Schultz assumed responsibility as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of AFSC in September of 2021 and has enjoyed meeting the workforce that powers the sustainment center and seeing the focus of sustainment come to the forefront of the DoD.
"Chief Schultz’ passion for AFSC P4 priorities fueled the progress our teammates achieved in supporting the nation’s warfighters. Chief perfectly blended our priority to Produce to Promise with the imperative that our People Make It Happen! It has been humbling to partner with not only an outstanding Airman, but a Chief’s Chief!” said Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, Air Force Sustainment Center commander.
Looking back on his time as the Command Chief at AFSC, Schultz has seen sustainment efforts become a higher priority and a bigger part of the conversation. “The focus has shifted these past two years not just here or the Air Force level, but at DoD as a whole. Sustainment and logistics are now seen as things we must do to win in combat. The previous AFSC commander Lt. Gen. Miller and our current commander, Lt. Gen. Hawkins, have helped tremendously in changing that focus,” said Schultz.
With his retirement approaching, Chief Schultz is excited for what’s ahead as he plans on traveling with his wife.
“My wife and I plan to travel, we have never really had the chance to fully explore the United States. I would like to pick up something I never had the chance to focus on before.”
His decision to join the U.S. Air Force 27 years ago has given Schultz a lot of great memories and has built some lifelong friendships along the way. His advice to anyone thinking of joining the military is simple, “Do it. There are so many different careers and ways to serve. You don’t have to do 20 or more years, just do four and see where that takes you.”
In a final message to all the Airmen he has worked with throughout his career Chief Schultz said, “It has been a true privilege to serve as the Air Force Sustainment Center Command Chief over the last two years. Traveling across our enterprise and seeing the work done by the men and women who serve to maintain the fleet and preserve readiness has been nothing short of amazing. I can think of no better team to be part of in the sunset of my career. Thank you all.”