Command Chief leaves Tyndall legacy

Published March 24, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Chief Master Sgt. Raymond F. DeVite, Jr., 325th Fighter Wing command chief master sergeant, has been a staple in everything that happens on base for nearly two years; that was until March 21.

"It's been very gratifying to be able to help make Tyndall Air Force Base and the United States Air Force better," said DeVite, during a recent interview with 325th FW Public Affairs. "I think what I will probably miss the most is all of the people connections I have made while being assigned here. It's not often you get a team assemble of such high speed people that all have the same common goal and work very hard towards it. It's been very humbling and gratifying to be part of that team. I hope that people will remember me as someone who worked to make things better for all of them."

His next assignment is at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he will serve as the Air Force Research Laboratory command chief, but DeVite will be missed around Tyndall.

"I'm sad he's leaving," said Staff Sgt. Anne Kemp, 325th Force Support Squadron Installation Personnel Readiness NCO in charge. "I think everybody is sad. He was a big part of this base. He's implemented so many things that a lot of people probably don't know about. He has definitely been behind the scenes on pretty much everything that this base handles. Overall, I think Team Tyndall is going to miss him a lot."

Kemp was DeVite's right-hand sergeant for 11 months serving as his aide. She learned a lot from her time with the chief.

"Chief DeVite has very high standards," said Kemp. "He taught me how to make myself a better person and put more into my work ethic and how to be a better NCO. He is also very blunt and honest. He tells you how it is no matter if it's hard for you to hear or not. That's one of the things I really respect about him the most."

A few of the chiefs most memorable moments are watching the Tyndall Airmen succeed while having fun.

"I think my most fun memory was probably the Air Force Ball," said DeVite. "It was such a relaxing camaraderie-driven event where people had fun during an Air Force function. Another highlight would probably be the arrival of the 95th Fighter Squadron aircraft. It took a lot of work, by a lot of people, to stand up those two units: the 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and the 95th FS. But my most overall positive memory was seeing the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit and 43rd Maintenance Squadron team turn it around and become a force to be reckoned within the F-22 Raptor community. They've done a phenomenal job."

With DeVite's maintenance background, Wright-Patterson will be in a new experience for him, but he welcomes the challenge and opportunity to help the Air Force in a new field.

"I'm looking forward to the challenges of the new opportunities in an area that I've never worked with and hope to be able to give a perspective of somebody looking though a lens outside of that organization," said DeVite. "I hope to learn from them, and I hope they learn from me."

Even though he is leaving, DeVite holds fond memories and high regard for the caliber of people and leadership at Tyndall.

"I'm going to miss this place and miss the people," said DeVite. "Working with Col. David Graff , 325th FW commander, and Col. Mark O'Laughlin, 325th FW vice commander, has been nothing short of extraordinary. They empowered me by supporting me and listening to my perspectives, even if they didn't always agree with them. Given different leadership to work with, it could have completely been something different. I'm glad I had the chance to work with two phenomenal leaders."

DeVite worked closely with all command sections and his contributions made a large impact on the base and its leaders.

"Chief DeVite has been a wingman, friend and mentor to me and an invaluable member of Team Tyndall," said Graff. "I am sad to see him go. We have worked closely together for almost two years now and I'm proud to be able to call him my friend. I wish him the best for his new assignment, and I know he will excel and improve operations there as he did here."

Echoing her husband's comments, Jamee Graff said, "Ray is amazing but, no one accomplishes great things alone and Karen, his wife, completes him. She has a tremendous love for Air Force people and has quietly worked behind the scenes to accomplish incredible things that support our military families. She has provided Dave and me with extremely insightful perspectives on all types of issues and we've become really good friends. I'm really going to miss having her at my side."

In closing, the chief had just one last piece of advice for those aspiring to be a leader:

"Sometime you have to eat humble pie," said DeVite. "It might taste horrible, but the ingredients will make you a better leader."

Wright-Patterson will be the chief's 12th assignment since he entered the Air Force in 1987 as an F-15 Eagle crew chief.