Airmen recognized as newest members of SNCO Tier Published Aug. 18, 2011 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Twenty-five Airmen were recognized in an annual Senior Noncommissioned Officer Recognition Ceremony Aug. 16 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. "The transition to SNCO status is a huge milestone for enlisted personnel," said Senior Master Sgt. Cheree Lewis, 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron operations flight superintendent. "It marks an NCOs transition from technical expert to that of a leader and manager, charged with ensuring they guide their subordinates and leadership down the right path to most effectively accomplish the mission. The intent of the ceremony is to give the selects a dignified welcome into the SNCO corp." A welcome full of tradition, pomp and circumstance that impresses upon them the weight of what those new stripes mean to every member of the United States Air Force, she added. The event took place in the base theater, where hundreds of Airmen attended to show their support. The ceremony began with the standard posting of the colors, national anthem, invocation, and introduction of distinguished guests. Directly following, everyone in the audience stood for a moment of silence to reflect on fellow comrades who have become Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. Then, one by one the honorees were introduced. Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Balutski, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, was asked to be the speaker and address the newest members of the SNCO tier. "We all have spaces, as military members, and that space is to follow orders, to follow standards, to meet those requirements for as long as we are wearing this uniform," said Chief Balutski. "We as enlisted members, you as future strategic enlisted leaders by virtue of what you do, and who you are, your space involves filling the void, whatever those voids may be." Whether it is a professional void or a personal void that you see in the people you heed, he added. "Your job, your charge, your responsibility is to fill those voids," said Chief Balutski. "Whenever they become apparent, if you fail to fill these voids, fill your space, someone or something will come behind you and take your place." After, the chief's address, candles were lit to represent each rank in the enlisted structure. The honorees were then given the SNCO charge, took an oath, recited the Airmen's creed, and accepted their certificates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the Air Force song. Congratulations to the following "Rock" Master Sergeants who were inducted: Alvarez, Abel Bottazzi, Joshua Brown, Keila Buehler, Theresa Burres, Nicky Chapman, Philip Chism, James Ellsworth, William Garza, Andrew Hill, Roger Long, Shannell Mathers, Michael Murray, Steven Joseph, Poindexter Price, Michael Prince, Jerome Richmond, Bobby Rushing, Jimmie Smith, Michael Stanley, Katrina Temples, Gabriel Visico, Reynaldo Wengler, Joseph