910th Airlift Wing Command Chief retires with 33 years of military service Published Jan. 17, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Robert V. Glus Sr., the Command Chief of the 910th Airlift Wing, retired from the Air Force Reserve at a ceremony held in his honor here at 2 p.m., January 6. The ceremony was held in Hangar 295 with many members of the 910th in attendance. The ceremony was also attended by many of Chief Glus' family members as well as his friends including two former wing commanders. Chief Glus retired after 26 years of service here at the 910th Airlift Wing and 33 years of total military service. He has held his position, the highest enlisted member of the 910th Airlift Wing, since January 2003. The Command Chief advises the commander on matters concerning the health, morale, welfare and the effective use of reserve members within the wing. He also serves as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, boards and military as well as civilian functions. Chief Glus was born in Erie, Pa. Prior to joining the Air Force Reserve, he was on active duty for three years with the United States Army. He enlisted in February 1971, attended basic training at Fort Polk, La., and later graduated from Stock Control and Accounting School at Fort Lee, Va. in August 1971. Chief Glus joined the Air Force Reserve at the 910th Airlift Wing in January 1982 as an Inventory Management Specialist. During his career at the 910th, Chief Glus has held assignments including the Chief of Supply and Fuels as well as First Sergeant of both the 910th Logistics Support and Maintenance Squadrons. He was appointed to his current position as Command Chief by then wing commander, Brig. Gen. Michael F. Gjede on January 1, 2003. Chief Glus has served as the wing command chief under Brig. Gen. Gjede, Col. Tim Thomson, commander of the 910th from June 2004 to July 2006 and Col. Karl McGregor, the present commander of the 910th Airlift Wing. Both Gen. Gjede (ret.) and Col. Thomson (ret.) returned to Youngstown Air Reserve Station to attend the retirement ceremony. The ceremony included the performance of the National Anthem and the presentation of awards and certificates to Chief Glus. Col. McGregor took the podium to give his remarks during the retirement proceedings. "The retirement of a Command Chief is a life changing moment in the history of a wing," said Col. McGregor, 910th Airlift Wing commander, who presided over the retirement ceremony. He said the command chief is the ears, eyes and sometimes mouthpiece of the wing commander... The chief also presented his grown children medals and certificates of appreciation for their support during his military career. A particularly moving moment during the ceremony was when Chief Glus presented his young grandsons with his Air Force dogtags. The ceremony also included a flag ceremony executed by the 910th Honor Guard, the presentation of a statue to Chief Glus from the 910th Chief's Group and a candle-lighting ceremony representing the history of the Air Force's enlisted corps. The ceremony concluded with comments from Chief Glus about his career with the 910th and his retirement. During his remarks, the chief recalled seeing C-119 cargo planes from the air base here flying over his home in northwestern Pennsylvania. "Little did I know, as a young man on my dad's farm in Pennsylvania, that Youngstown would play such a big role in my life," said Chief Glus. He also said his upbringing and lessons learned from his parents taught him what are known by today's Airmen as the Air Force core values. He was also appreciative of the support given to him during his tenure as command chief. "Thank you for all of your support. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with each and every one of you, from the youngest Airman to the wing commander," said Chief Glus. "Thanks for all you do and the sacrifices you make. Thank you and farewell." Following the chief's comments, the ceremony ended with a stirring rendition of "The Air Force Song," a truly fitting way to send Chief Glus off to "the wild blue yonder" of his retirement years. Chief Master Sgt. Troy K. Rhoades, a resident of Canfield, Ohio, has been selected by Col. McGregor to replace Chief Glus as the wing's Command Chief upon Chief Glus' retirement. "I have big, big shoes to fill," said Chief Rhoades, contemplating his future as the new command chief. However, if the examples set forth by the retired Chief Glus and his predecessors are any indication, it will be a bright future indeed.