Chief of contracting selected for INNERview Published Nov. 13, 2012 By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- INNERview is a special spotlight for members of Team Dobbins who don't always get recognized for their accomplishments on base and outside of the gates. If you would like to nominate someone, please call Public Affairs at (678) 655-5055 or email the editor at 94AW.PA@us.af.mil. Melvin W. Smith Jr. Job title: 94th Airlift Wing chief of contracting Years of Service: 30 Hometown: Macon, Ga. What do you enjoy most about your job? My turn-ons regarding my current position are the personnel that do what it takes, above and beyond, to support the Mission, Dobbins and/or otherwise. My turn-offs are people that don't put forth the effort. Are you prior military? No. I worked with the Air Force all but two and a half years when I worked with Homeland Security, in charge of Plum Island Animal Disease Center laboratory construction. I started my career at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, and circled from there to Robins AFB, Ga., Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (eight years total in charge of Royal Saudi Air Force F-5/F-15/AWACS/Tankers Programs, plus a participant in Desert Shield/Storm), back to Robins and eventually Dobbins ARB, Ga. What is your most recent accomplishment? Our most recent accomplishment was surviving another fiscal year after suffering through a reduction in manpower, while acquiring more duties. Another continuous accomplishment is knowing we are heading in the right direction and we can work together as a team with the rest of the base. Getting people educated in their specific jobs has been key, "seasoned" with a good dose of common sense. That is important to me for we need personnel, especially leaders, to move us forward in our daily lives. What do you do for recreation? Antiques street rods, hiking, weightlifting and sports - especially football. What is your favorite movie? Animal House What advice would give someone who is interested in joining the military or junior enlisted? Come in, learn your job and do it. Acquire as much education as you can, as quickly as you can, but temper it with a greater gift - common sense and logic for in the workplace. Never be afraid to make decisions, for you will make mistakes, but learn from them. Come in with a good attitude. Highlight the problem, long enough to get the mentality to the solution. How will you celebrate Veteran's Day? I'll go to my pop's cemetery. He served in the Navy. I'll also be with some of my buddies. This is a holiday with major significance, yet too many take it for granted. We see the wounded warriors and respective commercials and our heart goes out to them, but we tend to forget that since the founding of this great Nation, the graveyards are filled with many that gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives for our freedom. This day is a moment of silence for them. Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I am different. People are leaders, and people are followers. You don't want to follow everybody off the same cliff. Somebody has to be different.
