Defender Nation/Friends,
It’s hard to believe, but after 39 years in uniform—spanning both the Army and the Air Force—it's finally time for me to hang up the boots, take off the beret and head into retirement. Looking back, this journey has been wilder and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined when I first raised my right hand.
My career took me from a fire team leader all the way to the puzzle palace at the Pentagon. But the Air Force portion of my journey started at my first duty station at Mountain Home AFB, ID with the 366th Security Forces Squadron. That assignment opened my eyes to the true scope and impact of this career field. More importantly, it led me to the most amazing person I have ever known: my incredible wife, Collette. Throughout this journey, she has sacrificed so much more than anyone could ever know. She has been my trusted counselor, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who always kept me grounded. This career wasn't just my service; it was ours, and I couldn't have done a fraction of it without her unwavering support by my side.
With Collette holding down the home front and doing most of the “adulting” in the Gallagher house, I had the absolute privilege of serving alongside so many of you all over the world. We’ve tackled some massive missions together.
However, if I am being completely honest, spending almost seven years with the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody—training and leading Defenders and taking the fight downrange—stands out as the most important, proudest, and most humbling experience of my life. Leading in a combat environment can definitely shape you, and those you serve with, and I want to give a very special shout-out to the members of Dragon 1-6 and Scorpion 1-2. Getting to lead you into the fire was the absolute privilege of a lifetime. You are all heroes to me, and you forever will be.
Coming out of those environments and later moving on to chapters like my time in the nuclear enterprise, AFCENT HQs, and at the Security Forces Academy, I tried to stick to a simple philosophy: lead by example, be straightforward, and always maintain transparency. I always knew the best answers didn't come from a briefing room—they came from you! Your input from the field was absolutely critical to our decision-making process. No matter what policy we were rewriting, the litmus test was always the same: How does this impact the Defender posted out at the main gate at 0200hrs? I want you to know that every decision made was with that Airman in mind.
Because of that ground-level focus, I’m incredibly proud of the mark we as a team have left. Together, we modernized our security systems, weapons, and equipment, rewrote base defense guidance to make sure it actually makes sense for today's fight, and revamped training so the next generation of Defenders is ready for anything.
As I head out the door, I just want to remind you to never lose sight of how important your mission is. YOU are the shield and the first and sometimes only line of defense for our Air Force. Your vigilance and professionalism are what keep our people and our resources safe. Keep innovating, keep looking out for each other, and keep leading the way.
Thank you all for the camaraderie, the laughs, the hard truths, and having my back over the last almost four decades. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve beside you. I’m stepping away knowing our Air Force's security is in the absolute best hands possible.
NCOs/SNCOs…. Be bold, lead more and politic less, our Airmen deserve the best leadership that you can provide.
Thank you and God bless you and your families,
“Donnie G"
CMSgt Donald S. Gallagher
20th Security Forces Career Field Manager
