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438th Air Expeditionary Wing Welcomes 7 New Master Sgts.

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rob Leese
  • 438th AEW PAO
KABUL, Afghanistan --  In the United States Air Force, a Master Sergeant joins an elite group. The term "Sergeant" is an ancient, honorable one that denotes a person possessing special skills, trust, and integrity. On Oct. 14, the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing honored seven inductees in their 2010 Senior Noncommissioned Induction Ceremony on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Grindstaff explained, "You're not able to share this with your family back home, but you are here with your 438th family...so we are here to recognize you today and say thank you for your service and congratulation."

"Making Master Sgt. is a big step, as a Tech. Sgt. you're that functional expert and your still expect to have a high degree of confidence in you AFSC, but as a Master Sgt. you'll be looked at as more a strategic leader, an Airman with a larger voice that will have the ear of your flight, squadron, wing and group commander. Think about what you need to say to them to make a difference, but make sure you say it."

The Senior NCO induction ceremony is a recognition and celebration of the Airmen who have worked very hard to earn their next stripe and gain admittance into the Senior NCO Officer Corps. It marks their transition from technical experts and supervisors to operational leaders and managers. This ceremony recognized the seven individuals who through professionalism, competence, and a demonstrated capability to accept additional responsibility will be inducted to the next tier in the enlisted ranks. Their promotion is the result of hard work and loyal service to our nation through superior performance, commitment, and personal sacrifice.

Brig. Gen. David Allvin stated, "Even though you missed some of the pop and circumstance and all of the beautiful ceremonial piece of it, this is really what it is all about...It doesn't get more important than what you are doing right here and the experience that your getting doesn't get more valuable for you to take back when your deployment is done and you continue to lead our Air Force."

The responsibility of a SNCO is vast and held under the highest scrutiny. The Air Force depends upon these Airmen to accept this challenge and develop their personal competencies in order to become the strategic leaders of the future.

SNCO Inductees:

James A. Curley, C-27 Crew Chief Advisor, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Timothy R. Kelso, Life Support Advisor, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Carlos A. Lindsey, C-27 QAE Advisor, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

Charles R. McCollum, C-27 Flying Crew Chief Advisor, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

James, E. Milford, Education Advisor, Kadena Air Base, Japan

Jeffery N. Reid, Electro-Environmental Advisor, Lakenheath Air Base, England

April L. Slater, S-1 Personnel Advisor, Warner-Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
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