Chief Master Sergeant Selects join the one percent

  • Published
  • By Air Force Airman 1st Class Milton Hamilton
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public affairs
Ramstein Air Base, Germany --  RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany- The lives of seven senior master sergeants from the 86th Airlift Wing were changed forever, when they were selected to become chief master sergeants Dec. 4.

During an honored tradition on Ramstein, two buses full of 86th AW chiefs and officers pulled away from the Ramstein officers club to surprise seven selectees.

As the bus ventured to several different work-centers, each new chief master sergeant-select was surprised with the news of their promotion. Each selectee received a certificate and a symbolic bottle of wine from Brig. Gen. Mark August, 86th AW commander, while surrounded by their supervisors and troops.

The seven nominees come from various Air Force Specialty Codes and now share a rank that only one percent of all Air Force enlisted members hold.

The seven chief master sergeant-selects chosen are:
• Erik Bensen, 86th Logistic Readiness Squadron fuels management flight chief
• Dion Bullock, 65th Civil Engineering Squadron fire emergency services installation fire chief
• Jason David, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs senior enlisted advisor
• Eric Edwards, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron superintendent
• Nakia Hartson, 786th Force Support Squadron military personnel section superintendent
• Fedrick McBride, 786th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight superintendent
• Chet Tonge, 86th Communications Squadron operations flight chief

According to paragraph 3.1.3.3 of Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, chief master sergeant’s serve in the highest enlisted rank and hold strategic leadership positions with tremendous influence at all levels of the Air Force. They continue to develop personal leadership and management skills to prepare forever-increasing positions of responsibility. They are charged with mentoring and developing junior enlisted personnel and strongly influence the professional development of Company Grade Officers. They bring substantial operational and occupational experience as well as strong institutional skills to their organizations and assigned tasks.

In fulfilling this role, six of the seven selectees expressed how they felt about being chosen and their aspirations as new Chiefs.

Edward’s said, “My greatest desire as a chief is to pay forward the investment made in me, grow the next generation of leaders, and use this new rank to leverage better ways to care for our Airmen.”

David, a Purple Heart and combat action medal recipient said, “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my supervisors, chiefs and past bosses have set me up for success. My plan moving forward is to mirror their efforts for the folks that work for me.”

Tonge said, “This major accomplishment was only about 10 percent me, the other 90 percent I attributed to my subordinates, superiors and peers I had the distinct pleasure of serving with over the years. Now I have to pay it forward. As new chiefs we have the challenge of developing the future leaders of the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen.”

McBride said “First and foremost, I thank God for the many blessings bestowed upon my family. Second, I want to thank my wife Octavia, my daughter Shay, and my son Fedrick for being supportive and patient by allowing me to put in the long hours and take care of the mission. Finally, I want to thank the countless individuals that have helped me along the way. I stand on the shoulders of many and I will forever be grateful for what they have done for my family. I’m very excited to be in a position to pay it forward to our Airmen and do for them what so many others have done for me.”

Bensen said, “I am very humbled by this accomplishment. I have been truly blessed with a supportive family and a career full of great Airmen, supervisors, and mentors that made this promotion possible.”

Although, the new selectees come from different backgrounds, they all share the common goal of mentorship and aim to positively influence and motivate their subordinates.

“As a chief, I will do my best to capitalize on our diversity as a force to positively influence and motivate those around me,” said Hartson. “I am extremely humbled and blessed by my selection to chief master sergeant. Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate to work with men and women from all tiers and backgrounds who have inspired me to accomplish things that I had no idea were even possible.”

Bensen reminisced on a Chief Master Sgt. that mentored and positively influence him.

“As a brand new Airman, I was terrified of my chief,” said Bensen. “He was old school. I’m not sure what he saw, but he took me under his wing. Retired Chief Hucks gave me some great tools that made me a more effective Airman and student. I have tried to do that for my Airmen ever since.”

Each selectee has a similar mindset of service before self and reached this plateau by supporting Airmen and putting the mission first.

”I never really focused on making rank,” said McBride. “My focus has always been to work hard and take care of our Airmen, and in return our Airmen will be inspired to take care of the mission. As a result, I have been promoted because I had the honor and privilege to serve alongside some of the best men and women in our United States Air Force.”

The new selectees have had an incredible journey so far, but now they have reached a road that will take them to new heights, an adventure, that will allow them to be more impactful and create lasting ripples throughout the Air Force.