Behind the star and stripes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  "Welcome to Seymour Johnson, Fourth but First." That was the greeting Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Craver, 4th Fighter Wing command chief, heard when he and his family arrived to their new duty station.

The 4th Security Forces Squadron defender at the gate didn't know he was the incoming command chief since he wasn't in uniform. Regardless of attire, Craver received a warm welcome at the gate.

"It was very nice to see that everyone who comes through the gate gets treated with the same respect and professionalism," Craver said. "They were smiling and had great attitudes."

There is only one chance to make a first impression. According to Craver, the overall positive attitude of everyone he has met since arriving on station has made a lasting impression.

Craver recently transferred from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he spent the last six years, three of which serving as command chief of the 31st Fighter Wing.

Now in his 27th year as an Airman, his list of accomplishments and decorations makes him well-qualified and worthy of the position. However, as he will tell you, those are not what make him the Airman he is today.

"My absolute proudest moment, and what I hold dear, is that I'm Kelley Craver's husband and the father to my three daughters," Craver said.

His career and relationship with his wife began at his first duty station; a path he explains had to be controlled by fate.

Despite wanting to stay near his home in Ohio and not submitting a single overseas assignment on his dream sheet, the Air Force determined his skills as an aerospace control and warning systems apprentice were needed at Basdahl Air Station, Germany. Originally on a two-year assignment, Craver was given a one-year extension instead of being sent elsewhere. It was during that timeframe that he met Kelley, who was assigned to the same squadron.

Their time on station only overlapped for approximately five months before Craver was sent to Osan Air Base, Korea. Regardless of the distance between them, the two continued their relationship, mainly communicating through hand-written letters or a rare phone call.

As fate would have it, they were reunited at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. after Kelley's original permanent change of station had been cancelled. It was there, after 15 months of being separated, the two were married.

Kelley transitioned out of the military after her four-year contract, but continues to be involved in the military lifestyle. From Washington state, their travels took them to Canada, Japan, Korea, Idaho, Germany, Italy, and now to North Carolina.

Here, as the highest-ranking enlisted member, Craver finds himself working for every member of the 4th FW family.

"I directly work for each and every one of the Airmen: officers, the enlisted and their families," Craver explained. "My role is to make sure they have everything they need to be successful. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where success can occur; to identify the resources that we need for our Airmen to allow them the proper training so they can prosper and obtain their goals."

As command chief, Craver hopes to provide Airmen the same opportunities he was afforded which made him successful during his career. From being under the right guidance to knowing when to step up and be a leader himself, Craver explains that a balance between leadership and followership is paramount in professional accomplishment and development.

"As an Airman, first and foremost, you need to be great at your job," Craver said. "You need to take training seriously, take the mission seriously and know what your role is in that mission. If you understand why you're coming to work and why you're putting on that uniform, you're going to have a lot more pride in what you do."

With a determined mindset to always be at his best, Craver said he accomplished his crowning achievement in the Air Force and a moment he couldn't imagine in his wildest dreams, sewing on chief stripes.

Throughout the ranks, he credits those who were put in his path that led him to success and all of the opportunities the Air Force provided for shaping him into the leader he is now.

"It's not a right to serve, it's a privilege and an honor," Craver said. "We always have to remember that."

With that humility, he plans to continue the legacy of the 4th FW being 'Fourth but First.'