CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Medical Group welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here Sept. 12.
Col. Consuella Pockett, former commander of the 60th Medical Operations Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif., replaced Col. Donnalee Sykes who will be the Director of Air Force Nursing Services at Bolling AFB, D.C.
Colonel Pockett was born in Proctor Vt., and raised in New York and New Jersey. It was after a personal tragedy that she decided she wanted to be nurse because of her "desire to help people."
"Both of my parents died when I was 5 years old. I wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I was influenced by two aunts, one of whom raised me after my parents died, who are nurses and strong role models for me," she said.
She attended Farleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, N.J. where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and became a registered nurse in Florida.
"I worked in the civilian sector as a nurse for eight years before joining the Air Force," she said. "The nursing profession is the same whether it be in the military or civilian sector. However, there is more leadership and non-nursing specific opportunities for Air Force Nurse Corps officers than there are for civilian nurses."
Along with her degree in nursing, Colonel Pockett earned her Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University, St. Louis and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Throughout her career she has had many memorable assignments, some for the career highlights and some because of personal growth.
"All of my assignments have been memorable ... Tinker AFB, Okla., because that is where I met and married my husband; Hanscom AFB, Mass., because it was my first leadership opportunity; Yokota AFB, Japan because it allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a flight nurse; Scott AFB, Ill., because of the exposure to the operational side of the Air Force; Cannon AFB, N.M and Travis AFB, Calif., because of the opportunity to serve initially as Chief of Nurse and later as the Medical Operations Squadron commander and Maxwell AFB, Ala., because of the opportunity to attend War College in-residence and because that is where my children were born," she said.
Now that she will be leading the 437 MDG, she will "continue to fully support the Air Force, Air Force Medical Service, Air Mobility Command and the 437th Airlift Wing missions," she said.
Colonel Pockett is also looking forward to enabling the Airmen and civilians working throughout the group to help fulfill those missions.
"[I believe in empowering] my people to do their jobs while ensuring they have the tools they need to be successful and support the mission. I make my people my top priority," she said.
Accompanying her to Charleston AFB is her husband William Stoops and her 3-and-half year old twins.
"My family and I are very excited about our assignment to Charleston and the privilege of serving as the 437 MDG commander," the colonel said.