Devillier reflects on time with 88 ABW

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Col. John Devillier is scheduled to relinquish command of the 88th Air Base Wing on June 21 in a ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force presided over by Lt. Gen. John Thompson, commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Devillier assumed command on July 17, 2014.
Skywrighter recently met with Devillier to learn of his proudest achievements, noteworthy tasks as commander and parting thoughts as he becomes the special assistant to the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for General Officer Matters at the Pentagon.

Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement, and the wing's greatest achievement, during your command?
A: A tough question to answer as I have had lots of proud moments. Certainly, I am happy the wing received the Outstanding Unit Award, which represents the culmination of years of work and is something the entire team can celebrate and take credit. Additionally, I am proud of how the wing performed during our Unit Effectiveness Inspection, receiving a "Highly Effective." The team also received an "Excellent" in the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection. Given the size of this installation and the extensive support we provide to the over 100 mission partners, the performance in these inspections is a testament to the professionalism of the 88th Air Base Wing.
Furthermore, I am proud of our partnership initiatives, including the Buckeye Federal Health Consortium with the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which allows access to care for veterans and provides valuable experience to our medical providers. We have also teamed with Sinclair Community College to provide fire training to their students, and the installation, in turn, receives access to management and project management courses.
Lastly, our partnership initiatives culminated with our agreement with the United Services Organization, which now has direct access to the installation and is providing positive quality of quality-of-life initiatives for our active-duty military, Guard, reservists and their families.

Q: What or who helped you succeed?
A: Bottom-line, I am surrounded by amazing people in the wing. I have an incredible boss, and we received great support from up above. Ultimately, it is not my success, it is the wing's success. I merely provided a vector and vision and the group commanders, squadron commanders and amazing men and women of the 88th Air Base Wing made it all happen!

Q: What has been your greatest challenge and how did you deal with it?
A: I often joke that the toughest decision I have to make is on whether to close the base or not during weather delays ... it's a tough decision with significant impacts across the installation and our Air Force ... not counting the feedback I receive on Facebook!
Thankfully, this last winter gave me a bit of a reprieve. Seriously, though, there have been issues requiring me to make a decision with no perfect answer. Rather, I have to trust in the counsel I receive from the team, my experiences and my leadership's advice to make the best decision with the information available.

Q: How would you like to be remembered? What do you hope your legacy will be?
A: As a team, we have all done so much together, and I hope as I walk out the door an Airman looks and says, "That was my wing commander," and they are proud to have served with me. I truly hope I made a difference in somebody's life in terms of treating them well, making sure they felt a part of the organization, and helping them realize that what we each do on a daily basis matters.
There's a phrase I use quite often, "That one person can make a difference ... be that person." I hope I was that person in setting a positive climate and that I treated people with dignity, honor and respect.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for ways to improve the 88 ABW? Any words of wisdom for our Airmen and the base community?
A: We have to think outside the norm. We are in a fiscally constrained environment, and we have to be receptive to new ideas. While change is not comfortable, as an organization, as an institution, we have to learn to say, "Yes, if" and not "No, because."

Q: What have you or will you tell incoming installation commander Col. Bradley McDonald about the 88 ABW and Wright-Patterson AFB?
A: First and foremost, you have a great team around you. Given the size and the scope of this installation and the varied missions, my advice to him is, "You cannot do it all yourself. You have to delegate your authority to your group and squadron commanders to do their job; however, you must keep the personal responsibility." If he takes care of the men and women of the 88th Air Base Wing, they'll take care of the mission and everything falls in line.
Lastly, enjoy the two-year ride as it will go fast!

Q: What's a memento that means a lot to you?
A: This is a tough one as I have been fortunate to receive many mementos over the last two years. One particular memento that has made a lasting impression came from the Airmen Leadership School staff and class. It's a Florida State football (my alma mater), signed by Airmen who have graduated from ALS since I have been the wing commander. The team presented it to me at my last ALS graduation. Given its personal nature, this memento is very special.

Q: What will you miss about Wright-Patterson AFB?
A: As I am heading to the Pentagon, I am going to miss being with Airmen executing the operational mission. When Chief Arnold and I spend time with Airmen, they are so excited to tell us about what they do. Many of these Airmen are brand-new to our Air Force and so excited about how they contribute to the mission. Chief and I love spending time with Airmen and helping them see how their role on a day-to-day basis links with the mission of our wing, our installation and our Air Force.
Lastly, I am going to miss the community. I have never seen anything like the relationship we have with the Miami Valley. What we share with the local community is special, and they are so proud of what we do at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I am proud to have called the Miami Valley home!

Q: What is next for you and your family?
A: I am off to the Pentagon for a great opportunity back in my career field of human resources. My family will be blessed with one more year in the Miami Valley as my daughter graduates from high school next year.

Q: Any parting thoughts or words?
A: Be proud of what you do here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as we each make a difference. On any particular day, you could be the most important person in the U.S. Air Force or supporting the most important person in the U.S. Air Force. It is important we each do our job well every day because you do not know the secondary or tertiary impact a specific action you take could have to the warfighter down range or around our Air Force.
This has been the best job I have ever had in our United States Air Force and I am proud to have served with and for Team Wright-Patterson. Thank you for a great and memorable two years!