Ready for What's Next: Command Chief Shares His Vision

Following a period of overseas deployments, the Vermont Air National Guard's new command chief is focused on supporting returning Airmen, strengthening readiness and developing the wing's next generation of leaders.

Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Dickerson recently sat down with 158th Fighter Wing Public Affairs to discuss his leadership priorities, emphasizing the importance of balancing mission readiness with the well-being of the wing's Airmen.

Dickerson brings more than 25 years of military experience to the position, including over two decades in aircraft maintenance and a recent assignment as the wing's human resource advisor. As command chief, he serves as the senior enlisted advisor to wing leadership on matters affecting the enlisted force.

"I think the number one goal is, you know, how do we go out the door better?" Dickerson said, referring to the wing's ability to deploy and accomplish its mission.

Over the past two years, the wing has supported multiple overseas operations, including a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in 2025 and subsequent short-notice deployments.

One of Dickerson's immediate priorities is helping Airmen recover and reintegrate following these successive deployments.

"People first and foremost need time with their families," Dickerson said.

Dickerson believes providing time for Airmen to reconnect with their families and communities is an important first step toward rebuilding readiness.

"We definitely owe it to our people to give that time to recover and reintegrate," he said.

Looking ahead, Dickerson hopes to create opportunities for Airmen to reflect on their recent experiences, share lessons learned and identify ways to improve future operations.

"How do we continue to evolve and be more ready and more resilient?" Dickerson asked retrospectively, describing his vision for the wing's future deployments.

Another key priority is strengthening professional development throughout the wing. Drawing on his experience as the human resource advisor, Dickerson hopes to establish a more structured approach to leadership training, providing Airmen with clearer pathways for personal and professional growth.

"I think as a wing we do well in that area but I think we can do better," he said.

His goal is to better organize existing training opportunities, helping Airmen understand how professional military education, mentorship and leadership development can support both their military and civilian careers.

"We also want to build [Airmen] up as leaders," Dickerson said.

Lastly, Dickerson emphasized the importance of maintaining a culture where Airmen feel comfortable seeking assistance when facing personal or professional challenges, particularly following deployments.

"We need to continue to hammer home the message of it's okay to ask for help," he said.

He stressed that building resilience is a shared responsibility, requiring support not only from senior leadership but also from supervisors and fellow Airmen.

As he settles into his new role, Dickerson goal is to remain accessible to the enlisted force, encouraging open communication and opportunities to connect with Airmen throughout the wing.

"To be able to be the command chief, it's a unique and very humbling opportunity," Dickerson said.

"My door is always open," he added.

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