Heritage To Horizons: Retiree Reflects on three decades of service

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In 1971, Richard Nixon was president and Jack Williams was governor of Arizona. Hawaii Five-O and the Mod Squad topped the Nielsen ratings; Dirty Harry and Summer of '42 were box office smashes and Neil Diamond and Three Dog Night topped the music charts. 

More than that, a young college student joined the Air Force that year for a four year stint and found himself still there three decades later and just like a hit song rises to the top of the charts, he had risen to the top of the enlisted ranks. 

Meet retired Chief Master Sgt. Greg Daniels, who spent 30 years in the Air Force. His last day of duty was Sept. 7, 2001, the Friday before 9/11. 

His road to the Air Force took a few twists and turns. "I was attending Anderson University in Indiana, but I didn't have a student deferment, and at that time there was a lottery for the draft. I received a low number, which motivated me to make an all out effort to visit recruiters. The Air Force recruiter showed me all of the opportunities the Air Force had to offer, both in careers and educational benefits, such as college tuition. Within a few days, I signed up for a four-year hitch," Chief Daniels recalled.
 
Throughout his career Chief Daniels has seen some major changes. 

"When I joined the Air Force, many of the Airmen were single and lived in dorms and barracks, but the biggest change was opening up traditional male Air Force specialty codes, such as maintenance, to women," he said. "The greatest aspect of this change was that women were able to show off their capabilities and talents. When I left the military, women held almost every AFSC." 

What's more, the Vietnam War was winding down, and it was not uncommon to retire as a staff sergeant. There were few chief master sergeants in the Air Force in the early 1970s, according to Chief Daniels. Now there are more opportunities for promotion. 

Several uniform changes also took place during his 30 years of service. "When I joined the Air Force, the green-cotton fatigues were the work uniform, and most people in administration or office jobs wore 1505s, which were a light brown uniform. There wore combat boots and the dress shoe, but my favorite shoe was the chukka boot, which could be worn as a work boot or with the 1505s. It was comfortable, and when you gave it a spit shine, it really looked great," Chief Daniels said with a smile.
 
Throughout the 1970s and much of the 1980s, smoking was accepted and done everywhere, including offices. No matter where he went, whether it was in the work area, a bowling alley or an eating area, most people smoked. 

The military began to see the damage smoking was doing to people's health and began to make an all out effort to get people to quit. By the late '80s, smoking cessation classes were being offered and a few years later, smoking was restricted to designated outdoor areas. "We have come a long way, but there is much work yet to be done," he said. 

Although he served at all of Arizona's Air Force bases -- Luke, Davis-Monthan and the former Williams AFB -- Chief Daniels, a Noblesville, Ind., native, said he enjoyed the travel his assignments afforded him. "I particularly remember an assignment to Kenya as part of a technical assistance field team that was there to help the Kenyans re-establish their Air Force," Chief Daniels said. "I had the good fortune of going to many places I would not have gone to had it not been for the military." 

Yet, all good things must end. When Chief Daniels' 30 years had passed, he had to retire. "I was aware that a chief had to retire after 30 years," he said. "When that time came, I felt I was at the top of my game. Having to retire was the only drawback of my career, because I didn't want to leave." 

Despite all of the changes that took place during his tenure in the Air Force, Chief Daniels said some things stayed the same such as the camaraderie and treating people with respect. "It's funny that in the earlier days of my career, I was never sure if I was going to reenlist, but I kept getting promoted, so I stayed. Even though I have been retired for six years, if offered the opportunity to return to active duty, I wouldn't hesitate." 

Chief Daniels is still part of the Luke family working as the 56th Training Squadron ISD manager.