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Spirit of McChord: Staff Sgt. Kristopher Minter

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristopher Minter, a ramp operations supervisor with the 62d Aerial Port Squadron, poses for a portrait photo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Aug. 31, 2022. Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Colleen Anthony

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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD -The values of our airmen are fundamental to the Spirit of McChord. For the 62d Aerial Port Squadron, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristopher Minter embodies the honesty, determination and appreciation that Team McChord runs on.

"I've known Staff Sgt. Minter for a while now, we met at my previous assignment for the Royal Air Force at Mildenhall, England, in 2018... he brings up the energy of the team, they talk more, they open up more, and they are just comfortable around him," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dan Lackey, NCO in charge of ramp operations at the 62d APS. "He doesn't do anything crazy, it's just his personality, his ability to energize the room just by walking in - that takes something special."

Airmen will typically work at their assigned jobs for 40-45 hours a week. A fact Minter, 62d APS ramp operations supervisor, has embraced in his nearly 12 years of service.

"I try to take care of my coworkers and have fun with the people I work with. Because we're at work for most of our lives anyways, why not have fun while you're doing it," said Minter.

Minter's ability to maintain his focus on morale and be able to make the switch when it is time to get the job done helps motivate Lackey and the rest of the unit.

"It comes down to him just helping the team stay positive. Sometimes, dealing with the normal day-to-day issues can make you feel frustrated, angry and stressed, but Minter comes in and starts playing music, and jumping around or just being randomly loud like he does," said Lackey. "It helps me smile, get over whatever it is and re-engage with what I'm trying to do."

Like Port Dawgs continually loading the stream of equipment and supplies onto Air Force aircrafts, morale is the linchpin that keeps units working together harmoniously, no matter the operation. For Minter, helping the team relax and work more effectively is just a part of his everyday work.

"The drive to want to be a better person and a better supervisor really keeps me pushing myself," said Minter. "The simple fact is after a certain point, whether you're in the military or out of the military, your work ethic is all you have. If you get out and have a terrible work ethic, you're not really going to have that great of an experience on the outside either. You have to do your best during this moment. 

During the Air and Space Forces Association "Legends Tour" this August, Minter highlighted the critical role of Port Dawgs, briefing former U.S. Air Force senior leaders on the adoption of APS's innovative tactics such as: the implementation of Precision Loading techniques, their Agile Enterprise Growth-Innovation Steering team and the Air Distribution Enterprise Next strategy, which all directly contribute to the Air Force Chief of Staff's "Accelerate Change or Lose" action order. Minter's expertise and passion earned him a coin from retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the joint chief of staff.

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