Command Chief retires with more than thirty years dedication

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Enlisting in the Air Force in 1977, Tyndall's Command Chief has served more than 30 years with more than a dozen assignments and on countless deployments. His dedication to Airmen has fueled his career.

"I have had a gifted career," said Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin R. Van Vleet, 325th Fighter Wing Command Chief. "I have worked with great people and great supervisors all along, but if there was one thing I would say was the most rewarding part, it would be working with Airmen."

Chief Van Vleet began his life in the small town of Stayton, Ore., where his father owned a dry cleaning business and his mother took care of him and his four siblings.

In his younger years he was an avid athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball in high school. He continued to play baseball while attending Lewis and Clark College, Ore., and working his way toward a degree in political science.

However, his desire to take a break from rural life prompted him to enlist in the United States Air Force.

"I joined the Air Force because I was tired of living in a small town and going to school," said Chief Van Vleet. "My father said I was having a little too much fun."

Working as a radar operator, first in Iceland, then as a crewmember on the E-3 AWACS aircraft, the Chief completed his first enlistment and decided to change course from active duty to the Air National Guard.

In the guard he took the position of a full-time technician in a mobile radar unit.

"I served in the Guard for two-and-half years'" said Chief Van Vleet. "What a great experience. But, I missed the Air Force and flying on AWACS."

He decided to return to active duty.

Throughout the years he has spent time at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.; Hofn Air Force Station, Iceland; Tinker AFB, Okla.; North Bend Air National Guard Station, Ore.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany; and Robins AFB, Ga.

He arrived at Tyndall AFB in August 2007 and he said serving as command chief has been the highlight of his career.

"This has been my favorite base," said Chief Van Vleet. "My family has really enjoyed it here. It is great working with the Airmen, the leadership team and the local community here, they're incredible." The teamwork here is the best I've seen in 30+ years.

Chief Van Vleet has been married to his wife, Mindy, for ten years. They attended high school together but went their separate ways, and eventually reunited.

He is also the proud father of four children, three girls and a boy.

"My family has been incredibly supportive all along," said Chief Van Vleet. "I have never regretted joining and I would not change a single thing."

Over the years, he said the obstacles in everyday Air Force life have not changed drastically.

"Every generation has its challenges and every challenge makes the Air Force that much better," said Chief Van Vleet. "The goal is the same as it has always been; effective and efficient mission accomplishment. Our mission is always evolving. Look around the world, or just here at Tyndall, Airmen are doing incredible things. We didn't get to be the greatest Air Force in the world because we have cool weapons, which we do. We got here because of Airmen like you, each generation taking us to the next level. Striving to continue making our Air Force the greatest Air Force, and now space and cyberspace force in the world; we've done a great job so far and I don't expect that to change."

For new Airmen just beginning their career, Chief Van Vleet said he would tell them what his first supervisor told him.

"He wanted me to accomplish four things," said Chief Van Vleet. "One, be the best Airman you can possibly be. Two, be the best (at your job that) you can possibly be. Three, accomplish the reason you joined the Air Force and four, have fun. If you're not having fun, change it because if you are not having fun no one around you is having fun."

As for his retirement, Chief Van Vleet and Mindy recently purchased a home in Portland, Ore., and intends to move home during the holidays.

"My plan is to go fly fishing in the Cascades after my retirement," said Chief Van Vleet. "Although, I don't think Mindy is going to allow me to do that the rest of my life, so we will have to see how it works out. I have no job lined up; we are just going to enjoy life for a while."

His final day at Tyndall AFB is set for Dec. 18 and he said it will be greatly missed.

"Continue being the great Airmen you are," said Chief Van Vleet. "This is a great base to be assigned and a great area to live, and I know that will never change."