A Career of Purpose, People, and Perseverance: Reflecting on 29 years of Service

  • Published
  • By SAF/IE Strategic Communications
Arlington, VA --  

After nearly three decades of dedicated service to his country, Chief Master Sgt. Wendell Snider is preparing to hang up his uniform – but not his commitment to purpose, people, and legacy. With over 29 years of military experience spanning both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force, Snider leaves behind a legacy shaped by resilience, mentorship, and a deep belief in service before self.

Michael Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment said, “Chief Snider has been a cornerstone of our mission – his professionalism, positivity, and leadership have left a permanent mark not only on this organization but on the entire Department of the Air Force.” 

His journey began at 17 years old. Raised by his great aunt, Essie Orange, who took him in at the age of nine, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps with her support. “She signed the papers to let me join at such a young age,” Snider said. “I was uncertain about life, but I knew I wasn’t a troublemaker–I just needed direction. The military gave me that.”

Chief Snider served in Bosnia and Kosova during his time in the Marine Corps, building not only technical skills but a foundational understanding that the call to serve comes with making sacrifices. After separating from active duty in December 1999, he worked as a diesel mechanic for Cummins Diesel Shop in Wilson, North Carolina for 11 months. Chief reentered service in 2000 – this time with the U.S. Air Force – supported by his wife, who was also an Airman, and the chapel community at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.  It was a turning point not just in his career but for his identity. “I found my ‘why’” he said. “I wanted to serve God to the best of my ability, take care of my family, and serve my country with excellence. Once I had that clarity, everything changed – my performance, my leadership, my purpose.”

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Chief is known for his dedication to mentoring and uplifting others – a trait inspired by leaders who once did the same for him. Nancy Balkus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment said, “there are leaders who hold positions and those who hold people together – Chief Snider does both with grace and strength. He is a constant source of encouragement, and his influence will echo well beyond his retirement.”

One critical mentor for Chief Snider was Tech. Sgt. Shawn Drovdahl. Although their conversations were minimal at first, Chief admired him from afar. “He was sharp, and he had a great talent for communicating engineering in a way that made everything you learned from him a life lesson. Simply said, he could teach and coach well," Drovdahl recalled. Years later, Shawn would not only reconnect with Chief but write handwritten letters to his then 94-year-old great aunt, thanking her for how she raised him. “Shawn invested in me. And so many others have. And I have tried to pay that forward as well,” Chief said. “I felt compelled to invest in other people because of what people had done for me.”

While serving as a Squadron Superintendent for the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron in Japan, then Master Sgt. Snider noticed a civilian consistently excelling in meetings but receiving no recognition. He said of the civilian, “She was serving in a higher position that she was not actually getting paid for.” He took it upon himself to advocate for her, eventually writing a package that helped her win Pacific Air Forces, Civilian of the Year. Chief emphasized that this was not meant to ‘toot his own horn’ but rather was his attempt to ‘practice leadership.’  Chief believes, “Leadership is not about shining so you can win…it’s about ensuring the glow of those around you is recognized so they can shine.”

Roberto Guerrero, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, Safety and Occupational Health said, “you don’t spend nearly three decades in uniform without leaving a mark – but Chief Snider won't just leave a mark, he set a standard.”
 

NAVIGATING LIFE AND LEGACY

In his final assignment with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Chief Snider serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader and principal liaison to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and has played a critical role in advising on matters pertaining to policies, programs, execution of plans, community partnerships, and military construction. Chief Snider visited 21 installations and participated in 13 focus groups. Additionally, he provided critical advice during Pentagon sprint sessions that contributed to transformational plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air and Space Force.

Robert Moriarty, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations said, “Chief Snider leads with purpose, authenticity, and character. His words carry weight because they’re backed by years of experience, but more importantly, by trust.  He never fails to impart wisdom and inspire confidence to those in every room he entered.”

Reflecting on his career, Chief Snider was honored to be the senior enlisted leader keynote speaker for the 8th Annual Air University Language, Regional Expertise, and Cultural Symposium. This allowed him to once again lead people as he stressed the importance of allied and partner integration to 350 service members, academics, and scholars. But perhaps one of Chief Snider’s greatest accomplishments was his ability to keep his family together through it all. As retirement nears, Chief is embracing the next chapter – spending more time with his family and continuing to serve in new ways. As he exclaims, “even my wife said, ‘yeah, it’s time’ and jokingly said, “I don’t think I have any more moves left in me.” Snider said, “She’s already got me improving our dream home in Maryland.”

As Chief Snider closes this chapter, he leaves us with the following: “I have given my country my youth and a great portion of my young adulthood years with no regrets. People always say thank you for your service, but I am thankful that I had the opportunity to serve all these years. Choosing to be part of something greater than myself to help keep our country safe and protect our freedom – is a decision I would make all over again without hesitation. I end knowing that I served God to the best of my ability, I took care of my family, and I served my country with excellence”.