Heritage To Horizons: Retired chief won't slow down

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Nearly 50 years ago during the dark days of the Cold War, a young man decided to join the Air Force and started a military journey that lasted three decades in active-duty and
many more years as a volunteer and civil service worker.
 
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Geno Piccoli joined the Air Force in 1958 and retired in 1988. He recalled that he chose the Air Force over the Navy. Chief Piccoli said he is grateful for all of the opportunities the Air Force afforded him. "The traveling was great," he said. "I went to places that I never would have been able too, such as the South Pacific, the Far East, Europe and most of the United States." Chief Piccoli spent most of his first 20 years in administration as part of the Strategic Air Command. He served at a first sergeant for the Combat Support Group/Air Force Weapons Laboratory for the final decade of his career. 

As with any organization that one spends many years with, there are a myriad of changes. One change that stood out in Chief Piccoli's mind was the promotion system. "The wing commanders had the principle authority to promote in SAC. I remember when I was attending the NCO prep course and missed a bed check. I had to leave the school, and when I returned to my base, the wing commander wasn't happy. Not only did I not get promoted, I had a stripe taken away. I asked the commander how to get the stripe back, and he simply said to complete the NCO prep course. I did and had my stripe returned and also got the promotion." 

However, Chief Piccoli explained that major changes would come in the early 1970s with the establishment of the Weighted Airman Promotion System. There were three important elements in this new system -- time in service, time in grade and completing certain tests. The wing commander still had input, but these other variables came into play. 

After all of his travels and experiences, it was time for Chief Piccoli to retire. However, retirement wouldn't mean taking it easy and just laying back. Since leaving the Air Force, he used his administrative talents and knowledge working with a small business, an automobile dealership and with a state senator in New Mexico. Additionally, Chief Piccoli spent 11 years as a civil service employee in the family support center, retiring in 2003. 

After two retirements, Chief Piccoli still didn't think it was time to take it easy. He is a volunteer working at Luke with elected officials and base staff to help the enlisted ranks and is still involved with the chiefs and first sergeants. More than that, he is in charge of the base volunteer program, which includes 275 people. A vital cog in the volunteer effort is the 'Volunteers are Important People' program. "Volunteers put in more than $1 million of work. Their efforts help keep the organization healthy and viable," Chief Piccoli said. 

The military tradition is alive and well in the Piccoli family with two sons serving in the Air Force.