COLONEL SHAMEKIA N . TOLIVER
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
COLONEL SHAMEKIA N . TOLIVER
Colonel Shamekia N . Toliver serves as the Commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing and Installation Commander at Maxwell Air Force Base where she leads a team dedicated to supporting mission readiness and community partnerships . Responsible for all base operations , infrastructure and services , Colonel Toliver oversees the well-being of approximately 42,000 activeduty , Reserve , civilian and contract personnel , students and their families at Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex . She has served in various roles and has deployed numerous times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom .
When did you join the Air Force ? I raised my right hand and entered the Air Force in 1994 as an enlisted Airman to serve my country . I was later selected for the Airman Scholarship Commissioning Program , through which I gained a commission via the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May 2002 .
What are the most rewarding aspects of your work ? I would say taking care of people . I recently released my strategic plan , which emphasizes the importance of caring for our Airmen who work tirelessly to accomplish the mission every day .
What do you see as the most challenging part of your job or position ? The lack of time and resources . There are never enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks that need to be accomplished , and we often face challenges due to limited financial and personnel resources .
What ’ s on the horizon for the 42nd Air Base Wing and Maxwell AFB ? We are focused on executing the newly released strategic plan for the wing . Over the next two years , this strategic plan keeps us accountable for the things we set out to accomplish and postures us to provide the best support to all our mission partners .
Can you share an impactful experience from your time in the Air Force ? When I was serving in the Republic of Korea , I was diagnosed with cancer . I had to figure out what that service component looked like because I still had a desire to serve , but I also had to learn how to take care of myself from a personal standpoint and focus on my personal resiliency .
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the Air Force ? The Air Force needs you . We need Airmen who have a vast amount of experience from all different walks of life . We need Airmen who possess the technical fortitude to come into our ranks and show us how to do things more efficiently , with more technological advancements , and to bring innovative ideas about how to do things better , cheaper and faster .
How do you balance the demands of service with family or personal life ? I think “ balance ” is not the best word to describe it . For me , it ’ s more like a pendulum . The pendulum swings , and I have to take the time to figure out where I need to be at any given point . Sometimes , I have to be that amazing Airman because that ’ s the demand that is needed at that moment . At other times , I have to be that amazing mom , wife , sibling or daughter and attend to all the things that come with life .
Best bit of business advice you ’ ve received ? I often share the story of “ bloom where you are planted .” When I entered the Air Force , I was like a rough , unrefined seed , and the Air Force planted me where I was needed . The organization provided me with the necessary resources to grow .
What are you most proud of ? My children . They excel academically and are thriving in the classroom . Both of them are athletes , and they are also good citizens who make wise choices . The parenting that has shaped them , rooted in my 30-year marriage to my husband , play a significant role in why they have grown into kind and responsible individuals , and I am deeply proud of them .
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