433rd chief cruises into retirement

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Viola Hernandez
  • 433 AW
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  "This day is bittersweet for me," said Chief Master Sgt. Laverne Vick, as she spoke at her retirement ceremony, "I am excited to retire, however this is a second family and I find myself sad to be leaving this place that has been a part of my life for so long."

Chief Vick joined the Air Force Reserve 30 years ago and served with the 433rd Airlift Wing ever since.

At her last assignment, in 2003 she helped set up the 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and served as the supply management superintendent and squadron chief enlisted manager.

In an earlier Alamo Wing interview Chief Vick was quoted as saying, "I was taught to respect all heritages. Being born to the African American heritage has not held me back from any goal that I have tried to accomplish."

Indeed, her heritage did not hold her back. Instead, she accomplished a major milestone within the wing. She was the first female African American Chief in the wing. Chief Vick didn't just reach milestones within the unit she also achieved personal milestones.

"I've already accomplished two goals," Chief Vick said. "That is my retirement from civil service two-and-a -half years ago and now my retirement from the Air Force Reserve."

Chief Vick stated that she is sad to be leaving the unit because she has felt great pride in her job for so long. However, she is excited to retire because she is very confident in the abilities of the Airmen who will now step up to become the leaders of the Air Force.

As Chief Vick retires she looks forward to having more time for things that are important to her outside of the workplace.

"Now my full attention will be with my grandchildren. I also plan to devote more time to my outside passions of bowling and traveling," she said.

Chief Vick is a member of two bowling leagues and was voted treasurer of her women's bowling team.

Chief Vick is planning on turning her bowling ball in for suntan lotion every two years as she, her sisters and close friends have a cruise planned for every other year. The Chief just returned from a trip to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and has a trip to Aruba already planned.