'Mister Protocol': Chief Anderson's talent, charisma led to success and praise

  • Published
  • By Gene Vandeventer
  • Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command
ROBINS AFB, Ga. --  (Editor's note: In 2008, the Air Force Reserve will celebrate its 60th anniversary, having been established April 14, 1948, as an organization separate from the regular Air Force. This is the fourth in a series of six articles leading up to the 60th anniversary celebration that honor some of the people who are responsible for where Air Force Reserve Command is today and how it got here. The articles are based on the personal experiences and fond memories of Gene Vandeventer, who served as an aide-de-camp at Headquarters AFRC, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., from 1986 to 1990. Mr. Vandeventer currently works as a civilian in the Directorate of Historical Services at HQ AFRC. People of diverse ranks and grades are listed in no special order. By telling these people's personal stories, Mr. Vandeventer hopes to recognize their outstanding sacrifice, determination and foresightedness while expounding upon the Reserve's prestigious history to the next generation of Citizen Airmen.)
 
I remember the first day I met Chief Master Sgt. James Anderson. He introduced himself to me and my family at the "Trailers" (also known as family transient quarters) on a blistering hot summer day as we arrived at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., from merry ole England and entered the world of the Air Force Reserve or AFRES, as it was called back then.

I was active duty and knew absolutely nothing about the Reserve, let alone my new duties as an aide-de-camp. It was going to be a learning experience; my family and I were full of jitters and unknowns. But there stood Jim (a senior master sergeant at the time) with a bowl of fruit and chocolates in his hands as a welcoming gift. When he spoke, it was "down-home country to the max."

Jim had a Southern temperament that soothed the very soul, no matter the uncertainties of the day. On that particular August day in 1986, we found Jim Anderson to be a kind and dedicated man and a true Air Force Reserve professional.

Jim was the senior NCO in the AFRES protocol shop, and he worked every detail to perfection. He seemed to know everyone on base, and with his Southern charm and gracious smile, he could work miracles with lodging, the enlisted and officers' clubs, transportation (base motor pool) -- you name it. Jim was like the old Army supply sergeant that you read about in magazines or see in old World War II movies. If it could be gotten, Jim would get it by hook or by crook. Crook? Let's just say Jim knew how to "barter" quite well.

The protocol shop was, it seemed, always undermanned, especially when preparations for a major event came along. Jim would use his influence with senior leadership to get the needed manpower.

A lot of protocol work centers around knowing how to be a super diplomat and self-doer. In the protocol business, you will become acquainted with many splendid people with pleasing personalities. You can easily pick out those destined to be future leaders by their professional and common-sense approach. These ladies and gentlemen aren't always caught up in the expected "niceties" that their positions warrant. They are extremely aware of the professionalism and effort put forth by protocol specialists executing their high-profile and time-sensitive duties.

In the protocol business, it is quite easy to be "in-favor" one day and "on the dog's list" the next because of something you do or fail to do, be it a minor item or a major catastrophe. Unfortunately, in this business, you will also encounter a small number of personalities that seem more concerned with "me" rather than "we." These people are easily identifiable as well.

Protocol people work in a real pressure-cooker environment. However, Jim Anderson's talents and charisma brought success after success, praise upon praise. His warm Southern personality and attention to detail ensured positive results. Quite regularly, Jim spent from his own pocket to ensure an event was just right.

As he crafted the festivity, whether it was an official retirement or promotion ceremony, he ran the sequences in his mind, placed them on paper and practiced their execution, making sure nothing was overlooked. Jim's precision planning and execution guaranteed a momentous occasion went off without a glitch and was, as he said, "something you could proudly put your name to."

Jim loved to cook, and in the protocol business, that special talent comes in very handy. Jim would entertain Saturday cookouts around his pool inviting neighbors, friends, co-workers and their families. He did it not for show but for camaraderie.

My young son, David, learned to swim at Jim's house, encouraged by his insistence, "If you relax, you will float, and if you float, you can paddle." What seemed impossible to a frustrated parent became second nature one summer day as David began to paddle and immediately took to the deep end of the pool. Jim's reassuring demeanor made things happen.

In 2004, I visited Jim in Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital. He was fighting many life-threatening ailments, including pneumonia and a blood clot that eventually caused the loss of a leg. At that time, we were both retired from the service, and our conversation eventually drifted from words of encouragement and optimism to the latest happenings within the Air Force Reserve.

Jim was quite drowsy from his medication that day. However, when I said to him that the Air Force Reserve Command commander, Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, who we knew quite well from our protocol days, was retiring soon but I didn't know who would be taking his place, his eyes became crystal clear. Jim responded without a blink. "It will be General Bradley (Lt. Gen. John A Bradley, a major general at the time)."

Before the official announcement ever came out, Jim somehow predicted with all certainty the next chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander, just as he had done on four previous chief selections. This innate gift "protocolers" possess (and believe me they do have this gift) is based on nothing more than pure observation and a unique talent of recognizing the most effective leadership styles.

Jim now lies comfortably under the shadow of a huge shade tree in his hometown cemetery in Calhoun, Ga. The professional senior NCO with the warm Southern smile and down-home, simple country talk passed on to me and many others the worthiness of precision, the importance of planning and the blessings you receive by doing your best, even when in the limelight of others.

Chief Master Sgt. Jim Anderson was indeed "Mister Protocol." His life-long logic was simple and aptly applied in all he encountered: "If you relax, you will float, and if you float, you can paddle." Jim most definitely epitomized the Air Force's core value of excellence in all we do.