Command chief hangs hat after 31 years Published April 14, 2014 By Senior Airman Rachel Kocin 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Air Force Reserve Chief Master Sgt. Troy K. Rhoades, Command Chief Master Sgt. and senior enlisted member of the 910th Airlift Wing here, retired from the Air Force Reserve after 31 years of service April 5, 2014. Many members of the 910th Airlift Wing attended a retirement ceremony in his honor. Brig. Gen. Udo K. McGregor, Military Deputy Director, Strategic Planning Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, and former 910th Airlift Wing commander, officiated the ceremony. "Troy was the command chief that was always calm, always giving of his time and effort," said McGregor. "He was a counterbalance when I needed it and a rock for the Wing after I left." As command chief, Rhoades advised the commander on matters concerning the health, morale, welfare and effective utilization of wing reservists. He also served as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, boards and military and civilian functions. Rhoades, an Ohio native, enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in September 1983, attended Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and graduated from security police school at Lackland in February 1984. Rhoades joined the 910th Airlift Wing in 1984 as a security police specialist. Rhoades was a member of the 910th Security Forces Squadron for 22 years. His assignments included squad leader, operations Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and squadron superintendent. Prior to his command chief assignment, he was Security Forces manager, responsible for the effective management of five facilities, 72 Traditional Reservists, 23 civilians and 17 Air Reserve Technicians. He was also assigned to Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters as Security Forces manager, responsible for providing functional and Reservist expertise for all 36 of the Air Force Reserve's security forces units. Rhoades also served as the advisor and liaison to the Air Force Reserve Command Director of Security Forces on all Reserve Security Forces operational and readiness issues. He assumed the position of the 910th Airlift Wing's Command Chief Master Sgt. Feb. 1, 2008. "At some point in our day or year, we have to look in the mirror, we have to like what we see," said Rhoades. "I have a huge mirror and it's not just me I see in the mirror but all of you. I hope someday all of you have a crowded mirror." Chief Master Sgt. Steven Larwood has been selected by Col. James Dignan, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, to replace Rhoades as the wing's Command Chief.