From hard-working family man to award-winning NCO

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Many know him as the hard-working Superintendent of the 14th Medical Support Squadron or the money-conscious Treasurer of the Air Force Sergeants Association. However, many don't know the history of Columbus Air Force Base's own AETC NCO of the Year, and what drives him toward success.

"I joined the Air Force because I love the lifestyle that I could provide for my family," said Master Sgt. Christopher Calo, 14th Medical Support Squadron Superintendent. "My father was in the Air Force for 23 years, I learned a lot about it from being a military brat."

Calo joined the Air Force 16 years ago starting his career at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

"Holloman was a busy base but a great experience," said Calo. "It was my first base, so I focused on learning my job and studying my Career Development Courses."

From Holloman he traveled to various bases until he arrived here at Columbus Air Force Base back in November of 2009.

While tasked with taking care of all of the 14th MDSS enlisted members, he still finds time to hang out with his family.

"My family inspires me," said Calo. "Growing up, I witnessed my father work hard every single day to provide us with everything that we needed. Now that I have my own family, I want to ensure that I can emulate what my father did for me."

Calo married his wife Susan in 2005, and their two children are Jaylyn who is 12, and Ishmael, who was born about eight months ago.

Prior to coming to Columbus AFB, the family was stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base, where they enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing in Europe.

"One of my favorite things to do over in Europe was snowboarding ," said Calo. "Over there you can go snowboarding all year long- even in the middle of May."

After Germany, Calo came to Columbus Air Force Base to work in the pharmacy, which he said stays very busy. He said that last year they filled over 96,000 prescriptions.

When he is away from the busy pharmacy, Calo also spends a lot of his time helping various organizations on base. He coordinates the volunteers for the Airman's Attic, and puts his knowledge of business administration to work as the treasurer for the Air Force Sergeants Association.

"He is very tight on a dollar when it comes to our organization and that's what we need," said Senior Master Sergeant Andre Gaskin, 14th Medical Operations Squadron Superintendent and AFSA President. "He accounts for our funds, down to the last cent. He manages our budget like his budget at home."

Calo has been a member of AFSA for 11 years and the treasurer for the association here at Columbus AFB for the last five months.

Volunteers and organization funding aren't the only things the he is good at managing. At work, Calo goes above and beyond to help out all of those around him, and not just the Airmen that he supervises.

"When I first got here as a new lieutenant, he took the time to show me the ropes," said Capt. Lawrence Ervin, Diagnostic Therapeutics Pharmacy and Radiology Flight Commander. "He's helped me out a lot, and turned me into a pretty good leader."

When he has a moment of free time he spends it by working on his Bachelors in Business Administration by taking courses online at Columbia Southern University. Calo says he intends to stay in the Air Force over 20 years.

"I take a class here, a class there," said Calo. "I'm about a year away from getting my Bachelors degree."

Calo said that it is important to work on your education just to prepare yourself for after you leave or retire from the Air Force.

"Calo is loyal to the mission and loyal to his chain of command," said Gaskin. "He's honest, puts excellence into everything that he does and exudes our basic core value of integrity."