An airman’s career has come full circle as he leads the wing that is part of his family’s legacy of service.
Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Schumacher is the senior enlisted advisor for the 133rd Airlift Wing. In the fall of 2023, he remarked on his familial connection when he took on his new role.
“The 133rd Airlift Wing has been part of my family for my whole life,” said Schumacher. “My dad served more than 30 years, I am in my 34th year, and my son keeps the legacy going as a loadmaster in the 109th Airlift Squadron. It is an immense honor to be selected for this position and to work for the enlisted force of this fantastic organization.”
Before enlisting, Schumacher was a student worker for the base where his dad, retired Chief Master Sgt. Richard Henry Schumacher, served for 36 years. The elder Schumacher was attached to the 109th Airlift Squadron as a life support superintendent and survival instructor. They are the first father-son pair to both make it to the rank of chief master sergeant at the 133rd Airlift Wing, according to Minnesota Air National Guard Public Affairs.
The younger Schumacher said the airmen must have liked his work ethic because they encouraged him to join the civil engineering squadron, which is ultimately how his military career began 1989.
Throughout his three decades of service, he transitioned between four different career fields: electrical specialist, a C-130 H3 Hercules loadmaster, a support technician role, and most recently served in airfield management.
He says he initially enlisted for military education benefits, but his motivations for staying in longterm were patriotism.
“I really enjoyed the camaraderie and the people, and I really enjoyed serving my country,” he told Reserve + National Guard Magazine during a Zoom interview.
Readiness
As wing command chief, Schumacher set three priorities to ensure airmen are ready for the “major things going on in the world.” He wants them to be prepared physically and emotionally with their family; confident that they can do their job in an austere climate; and aware that he has their back.
“Young airmen need to know that their leadership has their back,” he said. “These kids are amazing; when everybody talks about they can’t trust this generation, it’s far from the truth. They are extremely capable and extremely smart, and they’re problem solvers. And I know that they can complete their mission.”
The group of young airmen includes Schumacher’s son, Senior Airman Cooper Henry Schumacher. He enlisted in 2020 and is a C130 H Loadmaster.
Career opportunities
Because of his experience with changing career fields, Schumacher is an advocate of airmen exploring different paths — especially in the Guard, he said, where so many opportunities exist.
“If you’re happy where you’re at, you’re going to be more productive,” he said.
Whether someone chooses to become an expert in one job, or wants to try new opportunities, Schumacher says the advice for success stays the same.
- Be the best individual at your job.
- Put yourself out there by volunteering.
- Support the wing at unit events.
- Pursue off duty education.
- Complete PME.
Visit https://www.133aw.ang.af.mil/ to learn more about the 133rd Airlift Wing.
The 133rd Airlift Wing is the first federally recognized aviation squadron in the United States. It celebrated its 100th year in January 2021. Reserve + National Guard Magazine featured the milestone at the time.