AL DHAFRA AIR BASE - Unite Arab Emirates -- The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized three chief master sgt.-selects during a ceremony, Dec. 7, 2017.
Senior Master Sgts. Richard McCorkle, Zackeriah Stys and Rene Valdez have been selected for promotion to the rank of chief, the highest achievable enlisted rank.
During the recognition ceremony was Brig. Gen. Derek France, 380th AEW commander, congratulated the selects on their accomplishments.
“The chief rank insignia contains the rank of airman, airman first class, senior airman, staff sergeant and all the way up to chief master sergeant,” said France. “From here on, as a chief, you represent every single one of those ranks.”
Following the ceremony, Chief Master Sgt.(s) Rene Valdez, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight chief, expressed his thanks to his family for all their sacrifices they have made over his career.
“I got a little bit emotional, it's been a long road and something very difficult to obtain,” said Valdez. “The emotions came because I really owe this stripe to all the people, leaders and mentors who helped me get here. It’s an individual accomplishment but not an individual effort.”
The rank of chief master sergeant was created by Congress along with Senior Master Sgt. as part of the Career Compensation Act of 1958. Only one percent of the active enlisted force is authorized to hold the rank of Chief.
Those selected will be promoted according to their promotion sequence number beginning in January.