JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Command Chief Master Sergeant Brian M. Pinsky, 433rd Airlift Wing Command Chief here, will retire officially, Aug 1, 2018.
Pinsky has been an integral part of the Alamo Wing’s leadership since 2014, with his tenure coming to a close at the 433rd AW, capping more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
Command Chief Pinsky served as the enlisted advisor to Col. Thomas "TK" Smith Jr., 433rd Airlift Wing commander and his staff for the enlisted force and 24 squadrons. His main responsibility was advising the commander on force utilization, professional development, military readiness, mission effectiveness, Operations Tempo, training, leadership utilization, morale, and health and welfare of more than 2,500 assigned personnel in the Alamo Wing.
After serving several assignments, Pinsky’s career comes full circle, he returns from where he started, to the airlift mission.
“I was originally aerial porter, so airlift is what I know and understand,” he said.
“I think what I've seen in my career, as I look back, is what the enlisted force was like when I started thirty-three years ago, and where we are now. We are much developed professionally, much more, well-educated and talented, a lot more capable than we ever were,” Pinsky said. “It's inspiring to witness the transition the reserves made.”
“My goals coming here were pretty simple,” he said about joining the 433rd AW. “I wanted to leave it better than I found it.”
“Command Chief Pinsky is a remarkable colleague and friend, said Chief Master Sgt. Troy Pearson, who has spent over four years working with us. The roles that he played within the wing had really made a big difference in the wing, especially when it came to revitalizing a dormant Top 3 organization, and mentored the wing Rising 6 group to establish a more unified and strong Rising 6 programs, which is the wing’s most robust organization.”
“Through his direct participation, he has had a direct impact on the Enlisted Force Development, which has increased awareness at multiple levels. The result has been a noticeable impact in more professional organizations that have been recognized for their impact within the wing, throughout the local community and military,” said Pearson.
One of Pinsky’s primary responsibility was advising his leadership on the matters that impact the wing’s enlisted corps. He reinforced that duty by making sure he went out during each Unit Training Assembly when time permitted to visit with Airmen to see what was important to them.
“My best days on the job, are when we go into a unit and recognize somebody for something good,” he said. “The best days were being with our Airmen, from airman basic to chief, and through second lieutenant to colonel, being with people who do the job and to see their enthusiasm and the pride they put into their job; that’s the most fun part.”
Pinsky focused his efforts as command chief on improving the wing.
“I hope our legacy would be that we transformed the wing with higher-level professionalism, improved transparency, and did what we could to benefit our Airman and to represent them off this base and at AFRC,” he said.
Speaking of his final assignment, Pinsky passionately advocates for the wing.
“I would recommend the 433rd because there are plenty of opportunities here, that’s for darn sure,” he said. “We have a healthy, inclusive environment, where people like to come to work. We do things; we're active, and we have airplanes that fly. It’s a fun place even with a lot of hard work. It’s rewarding and a good place to be.”
Closing this phase of his career and life, Pinsky has a simple philosophy in investing oneself.
“If I were to have words of wisdom, it’s that you should always strive to improve yourself, improve others, and improve the place where you're at, whatever it takes,” he said. “Also, we need to recognize our family and how they support us.”