News

Reserve loadmaster climbs to top of enlisted ranks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn McCullough
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  In 1977, a high school student met the man who would alter the course of his entire life -- the commander of the 446th Airlift Wing.  This unexpected meeting resulted in a convincing conversation that led the young man to serve as an Air Force Reserve loadmaster for the 97th Airlift Squadron.

Thirty-eight years later, Chief Master Sgt. Dave Kist, 728th Airlift Squadron was promoted to the highest enlisted rank and assigned the position of chief loadmaster for his unit May 1, 2015.

"I never thought I'd become a master sergeant, much less a chief," said the Tacoma, Washington native. "When I first joined, there were only four master sergeants. It was a huge hill to climb with a lot of amazing people ahead of me."

He described himself as an intimidated Airman early in his career. Yet he always tried to exceed expectations. He continued this habit and his fellow Reservists noticed.

"He holds himself and everyone else to a very high standard," said Senior Master Sgt. Ty Brooks, 313th Airlift Squadron evaluator loadmaster who has worked with Kist for 34 years. "He has high integrity is always working and fighting for the right thing."

Part of that belief means getting the job done right despite any obstacles, Kist said.

As a loadmaster, his main responsibility is to support pilots and ensure the safety of the aircraft. He makes sure the airplane is loaded properly, takes care of passengers, and responds to any emergencies throughout the flight.

"When you look at our wing, we all have a role to play," Kist said.

Every unit, from maintenance to medical, has a part to play in operating the huge machine that moves airplanes around the world, he said.

"When we leave, we have a plan and we're scheduled out for the next couple of weeks," Kist said. "We get through that whole two weeks, come back here, and land on time with everything done right. Nobody's injured, and no airplanes are damaged. We do that year after year in spite of all the obstacles. To be a part of that final step is very rewarding."

This gratification eventually led him to where he is today.

"If I wouldn't have continued to participate [as a Reservist] and stay interested, I could have retired 18 years ago as a master sergeant," Kist said. "I chose not to. I've always looked at the requirements and I'm constantly making sure I've done the things I need to do."

True to his word, Kist already has a vision of what type of leader he wants to be.

"I know this saying, 'good managers get things done and good leaders do the right thing,'" Kist said. "I think it's important to be a good leader no matter what your longevity is with the organization. There is a time and a place for getting things done. At the end of the day, at the end of the career, you should look back and see more right things done than just things done."

Brooks, who has been mentored by Kist, agrees with the decision.

"He's an awesome choice and I think it probably happened later than it should have," said Brooks. "He'll do a very good job in and even outside his squadron as both a leader and a mentor."

Kist has spent 38 years as a traditional Reservist for the 446th AW as well as 25 years as a Washington state trooper. He has deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar and has been involved in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Desert Storm and many more. With all of this experience behind him, he feels ready for his new position as chief, he said.

"I'm excited," said Kist. "I think the Air Force and my previous supervisors, mentors, and peers have done a good job in preparing me for the challenges of today and for future challenges tomorrow. I think the shoe fits well and I know I'll do a good job."