ANG command chief visits ARPC

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  • By Mike Molina
  • Editor
DENVER --  The Air National Guard command chief master sergeant visited the men and women of the Air Reserve Personnel Center on Jan. 24.

"I came here to learn, learn about the mission," said Chief Smith. "And I've learned that there's not a mission or task that the Air National Guard is not involved in."

The audience was made up mostly of Air National Guardsmen who came to ARPC as part of a new work force that began last year at the center. 

In October, ARPC began acquiring Guardsmen for four-year active-duty tours, when the center became responsible for many Guard personnel services and increased the center's workload to nearly 1 million customers. Today, nearly 50 Guardsmen work at ARPC.

"We were 'weekend warriors'; we were 'Sunday gladiators,'" Chief Smith said. "That's not so anymore. You're not part of the ANG team; you're part of the Total Force team."

The chief also thanked the group for their willingness to take on new challenges.

"You're going to do well here," he said. "This is Airmen answering and taking care of the needs of Airmen. As new missions come along, (you) are willing and ready to take on these new jobs."