Chief Select ‘Salty’ is on the ‘A-train’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  "The thing about trains is that it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on," said the train conductor, from "The Polar Express," a children's book by Chris Van Allsburg.

One of Incirlik's newest chief master sergeant selects decided to jump on the train of life by joining the United States Air Force in 1982.

"I was just going to do my four years and get out, but when you have good things going for you and you're traveling, decisions change," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael "Salty" Saltalamachia, 39th Security Forces Squadron plans and programs chief. "Before the Air Force, I was a dishwasher at the Holiday Inn and my brother was in the Navy. You see the proud look on your mother's face for your brother and you want it, too."

Sergeant Salty has served in the Air Force 26 years as a security forces member and plans to "max out" on his 30-year mark. He has had 13 assignments, ten of which have been overseas.

"I've seen the changes my career field has faced," said Sergeant Salty. "It's what I've done and love to do. The years have gone by fast."

Unlike the Polar Express, this Airman's journey doesn't end at the North Pole. After he retires, he hopes to exchange his flight cap for a conductor's hat.

"When I was a kid, my father worked the railroad," said Sergeant Salty. "When the train would be passing my house, I used to jump into one of the cars and ride. I watched my father and the other men play poker and smoke. I loved taking those little trips."

One incident Sergeant Salty recalls occurred at Pease Air Force Base, N.H.; Sergeant Salty's first assignment. In the first 13 days in his career, he was involved in an alcohol related incident.

"I made a mistake and paid for it," said Sergeant Salty.

Since then, however, Sergeant Salty stepped up, changed his behavior and is a testament for how far an Airman can go, even after making a mistake. This service is not a "one offense" Air Force.

"I came back strong after getting in trouble and made sure to gain back the respect from my commander and leaders," he said.

To this day, he still maintains that respect.

"Chief select Saltalamachia has something of tremendous value the Security Forces career field and the entire Air Force is in dire need of: a vast amount of experience," said Lt. Col. James Collins, 39th Security Forces Squadron commander. "He remembers and brings into play 'lessons learned' and time-honored truths of leadership that few others could."

Sergeant Salty expects to sew on his eighth stripe January 1st.

"I didn't expect to make it this far. My brother had been in the Navy only a few years and got out and now regrets it," said Sergeant Salty. "I don't regret a thing."

What matters is taking care of the troops, motivating them and keeping them focused, said Colonel Collins. "This is Michael Saltalamachia's forte - this is where he excels."