WC Missouri News

Donald “Mac” MacMillan, chief of plans and programming, 509th Security Forces Squadron, has 2,000 children across the U.S. Air Force. Children like Senior Airman Alejandro Amaya and Tech. Sgt. Austin Snowden, both with the 509th SFS.

MacMillan, who retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sgt. and returned as a civilian employee, is known for his dedication to mentoring and guiding young Airmen. "Every time I have a question most people don’t know the answer for, I go to Mr. Mac and try to learn more from him," said Senior Airman Amaya.

Having served in the Air Force for 47 years, MacMillan's journey from Airman Basic to Chief Master Sgt. was driven by his desire to care for Airmen and make a positive impact on their lives. "Every time you made a stripe, you got to make a bigger difference in more people’s lives," he shared.

Tech. Sgt. Austin Snowden, noncommissioned officer in charge of weapons system security, highlighted MacMillan's personalized approach to leadership. "He wants to know what you want to be called, what you go by or what your nickname is to build that rapport with you," Snowden said.

MacMillan's commitment to building relationships with Airmen goes beyond the uniform. He takes the time to connect with each individual on a personal level. "He sits with you and talks about where you're from, why you wanted to join, and what your first name is," recounted Senior Airman Amaya.

Reflecting on his own leadership journey, MacMillan credits one of his mentors, Tech. Sgt. Lou Archibald, for instilling in him the importance of caring for people. “Lou was the guy to talk to about taking care of people. He really set me on the right path,” MacMillan recalled.

MacMillan's approach to leadership, rooted in genuine care and understanding for his Airmen, has earned him the endearing title of having 2,000 children across the Air Force. His dedication to mentoring and nurturing future generations of Airmen sets a high standard for impactful leadership in the Air Force.