Ah yes, the Chain of Command. If there’s one thing you’ll hear from day one or two in the recruiter's office it is related to this one thing...the Air Force Chain of Command. Your recruiter will say something like, “My chain is going to have to approve this” or to, “remember your chain of command.”
So what the heck is your chain of command you ask? The name mostly explains itself, but it refers to who you report to and who the rest of your superiors report to all the way up to the President. That is a simple form definition, but it can be more complicated and more convoluted at times. It could cause a lot of frustration throughout your Air Force career.
Now there is no one article (within reading ability) that can outline every single chain of command (CoC) because it varies depending on career field, rank, assignment, and so on. I’ll try to outline the “typical Airman’s” CoC.
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Direct and Second Line Supervisors
First, and in many cases, the most important person in your CoC, is your reporting supervisor. This person will usually be a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO, E-5/E-6), or in some circumstances a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) or officer.
This person is going to be the one that is writing your Enlisted Performance Report (EPR), award packages, making sure your getting along well enough with your upgrade training (skill levels), and general things like this.
Furthermore, they will usually be more involved with you on a personal level in order to best supervise in a way that is conducive to the both of you. Also, your supervisor may be supervising more than one Airman. Try to remember this because it takes a lot of work to supervise. If you want to impress your supervisor (and there is NOTHING wrong with trying to impress them), then before you ask a question do the research yourself first. Make the appropriate phone calls or go read the applicable regulation. Remember you’re going to be supervisor someday yourself!
After your direct supervisor is your second line supervisor, usually a Technical Sergeant (Tsgt) or Senior NCO (SNCO). For simplicity, this is your supervisors reporting supervisor. They’ll usually have a less hands-on approach in your career but will usually have corrective power on any paperwork that goes outside of the unit. Things like your EPRs, awards, and disciplinary paperwork fall into this category. If something isn’t right with these things, your supervisor (or you in some circumstances) will have to correct it and send it back up the chain.
Officer In Charge or Commander
Next up is your Officer in Charge (OIC) or Commander who is usually the first officer in your CoC. They are the signing official on paperwork. So when your supervisor says something like, “Take this to the OIC/Commander to get it signed off on,” make sure you know who it is that you’re going to and what the procedures are to get his/her signature.
Remaining Members of your CoC
As I mentioned earlier, everyone’s chain is going to be a bit different depending on so many variables...from this point on, it will get blurrier the higher the chain goes. I think a visualization is better represented here. It can be a bit overwhelming, but the point I am trying to make is that ALL military members work for the President of the United States (POTUS), aka the Commander in Chief (CINC).
Wing Level Chain of Command
POTUS to Wing Level Chain of Command
Other members related to your CoC
There are a lot of positions that may not be in your CoC but may have a direct influence on your career or will act as “gatekeepers” to a member of your chain. Some examples are the Squadron First Sergeant, Wing Command Chief, or the Commander’s Executive Officer. All of these members will be a focal point or have been delegated authority to act as the commander on his behalf.
You’ll want to memorize the name and faces of the First Sergeant and Command Chief (all the way up to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force) for WHEN you run into them you can render the proper courtesies, but no need to trouble yourself just yet with anyone else outside of your chain. That is a chore for another day...and basic training!
Here comes the motivational speech
The chain of command is there for a reason. Everyone in the military/federal government has a duty...all the way up to the POTUS. When one member doesn’t do their job or strays from their responsibility, efficiency is lost, and possibly even lives.
What does this mean for you? Well, there will be times in your career when you may be tempted to skip a step in the CoC. Your commander says that their “door is always open,” or an inspector says something like, “if you could change one thing in your unit what would it be.” Though they may be genuine invites, always think about it before you say ANYTHING.
Ask yourself, would your CoC be blindsided by your comment, no matter how off the record the conversation might be? You are setting yourself and your leadership up for failure if you skip the chain.
Muster up some courage and have a candid talk with your supervisor about a situation/complaint you may have. Don’t jump the chain. Don’t cry wolf.
Now the caveat to this. If you see or hear of abuse or discrimination, then take all appropriate actions. Go see the base Inspector General and/or Equal Opportunity office. These situations should be dealt with accordingly and immediately.
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