An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Security Forces commander employs ‘hands-on, eyes-on leadership’

  • Published
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Lt. Col. Bryan Eckart, 375th Security Forces Squadron commander, assumed command July 11. The squadron provides security and law enforcement services to the Scott community while meeting worldwide mobility requirements. Their motto is "Defensor Fortis," which means "Defenders of the Force." The unit also provides combat arms and expeditionary combat skills training to Team Scott members. They provide biometric registration of base personnel, visitor control, police services, resource protection, confinement and investigations support to the Scott community and military working dog support to other federal law enforcement agencies. With a continuous mobility commitment, 375th Security Forces members represent the 375th Air Mobility Wing around the world.

What led you to joining the Air Force?

My high school best friend's dad was an Air Force recruiter and talked about how great a life it was. I come from a long line of folks who served in the military. My father served in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and his father served in the Army. I saw the Air Force as an adventure and as a way to serve my country.

What have been some of your favorite memories?

One of my best experiences in the military was while I was an Instructor at the Air Force Academy. I was selected for an Academic Fellowship program and spent 30 days travelling around Israel touring military and historical sites. As a former enlisted member, I enjoyed the Paragon Trail and Infiltration Course at Fort Dix, N.J. The training was designed to simulate combat with live machine gun fire 40 feet above your head, with flares lighting up the night sky. During this training, we were transported in cattle trucks. At times, we were so tired and exhausted; many people slept standing up on these trucks.

As a commander, handing out a STEP promotion to one of our outstanding NCOs has to count as a favorite memory because I knew the Air Force got this one right. I have also had the opportunity to pin on a well-earned set of chief master sergeant stripes. As a former airman basic, having the ability to pin stripes on a chief master sergeant was quite an honor.

What is your leadership philosophy?

I believe in hands-on, eyes-on leadership from supervisors at all levels and our folks deciding to do the right thing. In my last command, I had the extreme displeasure of serving a discharge to a technical sergeant who served honorably for 17 years in our Air Force. I also had the displeasure of handing out an Article 15 to an Airman driving under the influence of alcohol and engaging in acts of domestic violence. My vision is that front line supervisors can prevent many of the acts through hand-on, eyes-on leadership.

This entails actually working out with your subordinate instead of passing him off to the physical training leader. It involves sitting down with your subordinate and training him yourself versus assigning him to a flight trainer. I also believe process and program owners should take ownership and pride in their programs by trying to do the best that they can.

What can your troops expect from you?

I believe in upholding all standards. If you walk by a problem, you set a new standard. I pay close attention to detail and I'll provide my defenders unwavering advocacy and top cover. For me, hands-on, eyes-on leadership involves the frontline supervisor. I think most of the discipline problems in motivation and morale that we have in the Air Force comes down to the front line supervisor. I think the troops are set up for success when the front line supervisor takes the extra time to provide the hands-on leadership required.

What do you want from your troops?

I expect them to take ownership of their position, or being the best at what they do. Often, I see folks just going through the motions. I want my folks to be the best knowledge operator on our base, to be the best patrolman, to be the best first sergeant. Then I will ask them to be the best in that position among the 12 Air Mobility Command bases. If one of my defenders strives to be the best entry controller, or whatever their duty title is, among all AMC entry controllers that day, then we will have no problems upholding our title as AMC's Showcase Wing.

I also want my defenders to take advantage of the opportunities the military provides them. I ask them to take advantage of the tuition assistance offered to them.

Who is your hero and why?

My mother and father, who have taught me how to endure trials and tribulations, bounce back and trust God and his plan. Both of my parents have endured serious medical and financial conditions and have continued to endure. They often tell me how proud they are of me, but I am the one who should be telling them how proud I am of them.