Command Chief excels in double Published Nov. 22, 2005 By Senior Airman Rhina Portillochacon 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In most jobs, individuals can choose to focus all their passion on completing a mission or on mentoring people. One chief master sergeant on Scott would rather do both – on the same base, same mission, same people – but in two different jobs. Command Chief Master Sgt. Merle Lyman, 932nd Airlift Wing, juggles his time going above and beyond what the Air Force Reserve asks him to do as the senior enlisted advisor and also playing a key part making global mobility happen in Air Mobility Command as a civilian. “Having the opportunity to have two jobs where one lets you totally focus on people and the other focuses on the operational mission is rare I have a real passion for both,” says Chief Lyman. He began his career in the active duty Air Force in 1979, following the steps of his older brother, in aircraft maintenance. An hour after separating from active duty in 1983, he joined the Air Force Reserve. “It’s a great way to serve your country,” he says while encouraging Airmen who are leaving active duty but would still like to wear the uniform and maintain the family atmosphere he has held dearly for the 25 years he has been at Scott. “The Reserve differs from the active duty Air Force -- we are not as transitional (with PCSing and TDYs). You build relationships and you basically grow together as a family,” said Chief Lyman. Chief Lyman’s Air Force family doesn't stop there, it also includes the many other command chiefs here at his home base. “We lean on each other, here and off-work as friends,” says the chief. “We share many experiences and that really helps me.” Besides experiences, the command chiefs also share their primary mission%u2026taking care of the enlisted. “I know that at some point I am going to leave (the service),” said Chief Lyman. “The thing is – I want to leave the Air Force better than I found it.” And even after it comes his turn to retire, Chief Lyman plans to stay connected with the service and the base in any way he can but also giving back to his spouse a bit of the sacrifice she contributed to his career. “She understands the time and the commitment,” says Chief Lyman of his wife, Mary. “She never complains and she always supports everything I do.” That’s something you need to have a successful military career, he said, “and she is extra special.” Chief Lyman out of the uniform: - Favorite movie: Field of Dreams, Tombstone - Favorite artist: Thomas Kincaid - Favorite base: Patrick AFB, Fla. - Favorite fast food restaurant: Arby’s - Favorite show: Sitcom-Home improvement Drama: CSI: Miami - Favorite sport’s team: Cardinals - Something you can’t live without: My family and sports - Something you can live without: Shopping - Favorite rank: command chief - Favorite hobby: Golfing - Favorite quote: “If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have the time to do it twice.” And “The Golden Rule: Do on to others as you would others to do unto you.”