Brothers in arms Published Oct. 3, 2014 By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Only one percent of Air Force enlisted personnel achieve the rank of chief master sergeant. However, two brothers from Buffalo, New York achieved that rare accomplishment. Through the best of times and the worst of times, Chief Master Sgt. Lee and Norman Green pushed each other. "The relationship between the two of us... I can sum up in one word: competitive," said Norman, recently retired from the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. "We were typical siblings," added Lee, 80th Aerial Port Squadron superintendent. Though Norman was the younger and Lee joined the Air Force first in 1981, Norman was the first to make chief. "We did challenge each other on who would make chief first," Norman said. Norman was promoted in November 2011 and Lee made it in April 2014. "Always, I truly believe he and I pushed each other harder than anyone else has," Lee added. "I'd always give him a hard time as he did me." "We still have that competitiveness in us, otherwise we both wouldn't be chiefs," Norman joked. "I guess we're still growing up." The brothers both joined because of a strong family legacy of military service. My oldest brother was a Marine, the next oldest Army, third oldest was a Marine and then Lee joined, Norman commented. "I was impressed with my older siblings' appearance and swag," Lee added. Though both brothers joined the Air Force, they both took different paths in their careers. Lee started out as in active duty from 1981 to 1990 as air ground equipment Airman before switching to the Reserve, while Norman went straight into the Reserve as Security Forces in 1984 and changed to CE in 1996. Even with the years of service, their paths never crossed career-wise. "Unfortunately, we never had an opportunity to work together," Norman mentioned. "We did have plans that if he had made it, we would attempt to attend some of the leadership courses that are available, but didn't get a chance to." The major aspect of the military the brothers love the most is the people. "You have an opportunity to meet, mentor and be mentored by a group of folks that you have never met before," Norman exclaimed. "I truly enjoy serving all Airmen," Lee continued. "Whether that's through mentoring, being an ear, providing help with a task or assisting them with learning their craft; this has been the most rewarding time of my entire career." As Norman's military career has come to a close, the retired chief plans to spend his time raising his two daughters, furthering his education, working for General Motors as an electrician, and hopping on some space-A flights. Lee on the other hand said he plans on continuing to strive for excellence with the 80th APS at Dobbins.
