Chief master sergeant recognition ceremony inducts new chiefs and chief-selects

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Nearly 120 Airmen, family, and friends attended the Tyndall Chief's Group 2011 Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony Feb. 26 at Horizons Community Center. 

The ceremony is an annual event that recognizes the base's newest chief master sergeants and chief master sergeant-selects. Chief master sergeant is the highest enlisted rank the in the senior noncommissioned officer tier in the Air Force.

"This is a momentous occasion that you'll never forget," said Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray and this year's featured speaker. "I'm so glad that we come together to recognize these individuals to the highest enlisted rank - it is the culminating rank."

Chief Murray was the 14th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position in the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He was appointed to the position July 1, 2002 and retired from the Air Force October 1, 2006. He served 29 years and has held many assignments throughout the United States and the world.

"The rank of chief is unlike any other rank you've held," he said. "This is a journey in time like none other."

The evening began with a toast, then dinner was served by Horizons club staff. Chief Murray shared his thoughts with new chiefs and chief-selects, after which they were formally recognized and charged in a ceremony.

"Do this right, bear the rank of chief rightly, and it will have its rewards," Chief Murray said. "It will take more knowledge and more effort than before in your career ... Our outstanding Airmen are going to look to you to lead them."

The following six individuals were recognized: Chief Master Sgt. (Sel.) Paul Figueroa, 325th Communications Squadron; Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Griffin, 325th CS; Chief Master Sgt. (Sel.) Charles Nichols, Jr., 325th Operations Support Squadron; Chief Master Sgt. (Sel.) Michael Rabb, 325th Maintenance Operations Squadron; Chief Master Sgt. (Sel.) Donald Richardson, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Sluder, 1st Air Force, Air Forces Northern.

Following the ceremony, Brig. Gen. James S. Browne, 325th Fighter Wing commander, offered his closing remarks.

"I've been in the Air Force for 25 years and I believe that one of the reasons our Air Force is the greatest in the world, is because of our professional enlisted corps," said General Browne. "By Federal law, only one percent of the Air Force enlisted corps may hold the rank of chief master sergeant ... it is an elite group."

"As your charge is laid out, being in that group is a huge responsibility," he added. "Officers and enlisted Airmen of all ranks look to a chief to be a role model."