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Some people are lucky just to have a boss. Some people count themselves blessed if their boss doesn’t completely hate them. But for Eric Leader, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Materiel Management Branch deputy chief of branch operations, he has a boss who is proud of him and wants the whole world to know it.
“Mr. Leader has given his entire life serving our nation, and I would give anything if others had the opportunity to hear his story,” said Chief Master Sgt. Victor Harris, USAFE-AFAFRICA Materiel Management functional manager.
A native of Liverpool, England, Leader worked as a clerk in a specialized department store until his mid-20s. At 26, he decided he needed to take a year off to broaden his
horizons by experiencing different cultures and traveling in Europe. He never made it to Southern France — his intended destination — because he was captivated by Germany.
“I was coming back down through Rheinland-Pfalz, and I just stopped off at Zweibrücken, which is on the German-French border,” Leader said. “(I) stayed in a little guest hall. The owner of the guesthouse had two gorgeous looking daughters, and they took me downtown (for) fasching. That was it. I never left.”
After an American asked him to consider working at the base, he began his Air Force career on Aug. 12, 1974, as a supply clerk at the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Zwei-brücken Air Station.
Since then, he has also worked at Sembach and Ramstein air bases. Over the course of a career spanning 39 years, his work ethic has helped him to advance up the ladder.
“I’ve had a very interesting career, especially for a local national. I’ve been exposed to a lot more than what most (would) have the opportunity to get involved with,” Leader said.
As Leader progressed in his career, he garnered recognition for his professionalism. In 2001, he was the first local national to win the Headquarters Air Force Supply Civilian of the Year. This entitles him to wear the Air Force recognition lapel pin.
“It was a great honor,” he said. “I was No. 1 in my entire career in the Air Force at that particular level. They normally go to American civilians, so that was something really super. I wear the pin with pride.”
Harris, the branch superintendent, said, “For Eric to stand out as the No. 1, the best of the best, that says a lot. And he’s been that way. He hasn’t changed. He still comes in early and he doesn’t leave until it’s time to leave.”
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Deonn Wall weighed in with his opinion of Leader’s competence. When an incident occurred at the squadron satellite site in Hessisch Oldendorf, Leader was called upon to sort out the issues professionally.
“It was quickly obvious when I became the squadron commander that Eric Leader was knowledgeable, capable and excellent at managing people, so I asked him to go to Hessisch Oldendorf, and he was (on temporary duty) there for several months,” Wall said.
“USAFE’s been successful at what we do because of people like Eric,” Harris said. “We’re going to really miss him around here. That’s for sure.” Leader’s retirement ceremony will commence today.
