Biographies

CHIEF MASTER SGT. BENJAMIN R VAN VLEET

Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin R. Van Vleet is the 325th Fighter Wing command chief master sergeant, Air Education and Training Command, Tyndall Air Force
Base, Fla. He is the 325th Fighter Wing commander's principal enlisted leader for the overall training, education and employment of more than 4,800 personnel and associate units in garrison.

He is responsible for the health, welfare, morale, effective utilization, quality of life and progress of the wing's enlisted force. He measures combat readiness of the force and addresses issues impacting employment and deployment of
Tyndall's Airmen. As the functional manager for all assigned first sergeants, he directs activities to prevent and correct disciplinary and training deficiencies. The chief ensures staff agencies, commanders and senior enlisted personnel are
informed on matters of administration and implementation of wing policy. He observes all facets of the work, social and living environments of the enlisted force and meets with all Tyndall Air Force Base professional organizations on behalf of the commander.

Chief Van Vleet grew up in Stayton, Oregon and entered the Air Force in December 1977. He is a career enlisted aviator with more than 7,400 flight hours in the E-3A/B/C/D and E-8C aircraft His assignments include bases in Iceland, Germany Alaska, Oklahoma, Georgia, Mississippi, and Oregon, as an Air National Guard Air Reserve Technician. The Chief has deployed in support of numerous operations including DESERT SHIELD, ANCHOR GUARD, DENY FLIGHT and ENDURING FREEDOM.

EDUCATION
1986 Associates Degree in Aerospace Control Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
1987 Alaskan Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
1989 Bachelors of Science Degree in Airway Sciences, Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage, Alaska
1991 United States Air Forces Europe Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Mathis AB, United Kingdom
1992 Associate of Science Degree, Instructor Technology, Community College of the Air Force
1999 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter AFB, Ala.
2007 USAF Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership, San Diego, Calif. 
2007 USAF Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Gettysburg, Pa.
2008 Leadership Team Awareness Seminar, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick AFB, Fla.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1977 - February 1978, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1978 - May 1978, student, Aerospace Warning and Control Systems Technology Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. May 1978 - May 1979, Instructor/Evaluator Air Surveillance Supervisor, 667th Airspace Control and Warning Squadron, Hofn, Iceland
4. May 1979 - December 1981, Instructor Air Surveillance Technician, 966th Airborne Warning and Control Systems Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
5. January 1982 - May 1984, Air Reserve Technician, Oregon Air National Guard, NCOIC of Training and Instructor Weapons Control Technician, 104th Tactical Control Flight, North Bend ANGS, North Bend, Ore.
6. May 1984 - August 1986, Flight Evaluator Air Surveillance Technician, 552nd Air Division, Tinker AFB, Okla.
7. August 1986 - February 1990, Flight Evaluator Air Surveillance Technician, 962nd Airborne Warning and Control Systems Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
8. February 1990 - December 1996, Superintendent, Wing Current Operations and Flight Evaluator Surveillance Operator, NATO AWACS E-3A Component, Geilenkirchen ABS, Germany
9. December 1996 - January 2000, Superintendent, Command and Control Flight and 1A4X1 Career Development Course writer, Keesler AFB, Miss.
10. January 2000 - July 2004, Squadron Superintendent 128th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
11. July 2004 - January 2005, Squadron Superintendent 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
12. January 2005 - July 2007, 3rd Operations Group Superintendent, 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
13. August 2007 - present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1987 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School
1991 John L. Levitow Award, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2002 Air Force Association Air Battle Management Crew of the year, 2001

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Staff Sergeant March 26, 1984
Technical Sergeant March 1, 1990
Master Sergeant May 1, 1994
Senior Master Sergeant October 1, 1999
Chief Master Sergeant August 1, 2003

(Current as of April 2009)