Chief Master Sergeant Sarah A. Sparks is the Command Chief Master Sergeant at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. She advises the Superintendent and senior staff in the direction of a premier higher-education institution offering a world-class, highly-structured four-year regimen of comprehensive military training; unparalleled academics and an expansive NCAA Division I intercollegiate program sponsoring 29 men’s and women’s sports and athletic programs.
Chief Sparks guides the direction of the Academy’s character development programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree preparing young men and women to become Air Force officers motivated to lead in the world’s greatest air, space and cyberspace force.
Additionally, the Chief guides matters of military readiness, morale, quality of life and professional development of more than 9,000 permanent party and cadet personnel, and serves as the Superintendent’s enlisted representative on numerous committees, councils and boards.
Chief Sparks enlisted in the Air Force in 1992. Her background includes experience at varying levels in the Material Management career field at the wing and command levels.
EDUCATION
1997 Airman Leadership School, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
1999 Associate of Applied Science Degree in Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force, Community College of the Air Force, Montgomery, Ala.
1999 Academic Instructor School, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala.
2001 Occupational Instructor Certificate, Community College of the Air Force, Montgomery, Ala.
2002 Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Education, Wayland Baptist University, San Antonio, Texas
2004 Vosler Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
2009 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala.
2012 AFSO21 Executive Leadership Course, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
2014 Keystone, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
2017 USAF Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2018 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1993-October 1994, Supply Apprentice, 601st Supply Squadron, Sembach Air Base, Germany
2. October 1994-February 1999, Supply Journeyman, 12th Supply Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
3. February 1999-February 2003, Instructor, Airman Leadership School, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
4. February 2003-May 2005, Quality Assurance Evaluator, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo.
5. May 2005-May 2007, NCOIC, First Term Airmen Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
6. May 2007-March 2009, Policy and Procedures Manager, HQ AFSPC, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
7. March 2009-March 2010, Logistics Advisor, Logistics Training Advisory Group, CSTC-A/NTMA, Afghanistan
8. March 2010-July 2012, Command Equipment Manager, HQ AFSPC, Peterson Air Force Base, Springs, Colo.
9. July 2012-August 2014, Commandant, Binnicker Professional Military Education Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
10. August 2014-March 2016, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
11. March 2016-January 2018, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del.
12. January 2018-July 2019, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
13. August 2019-present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with bronze star
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1996 -- 12th Supply Squadron Outstanding Airman of the Year
1997 -- Distinguished Graduate, Randolph Airman Leadership School
1998 -- Management and Systems Outstanding Supply/Fuels Personnel of the Year
2003 -- Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron
2004 -- Distinguished Graduate, Forrest L. Vosler NCO Academy
2009 -- CMSgt Timothy Doolin Air Force Materiel Management Staff Enlisted Manager of the Year
2009 -- Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Air Force Space Command
2010 -- National Defense Industrial Association Patriot Award Winner
2010 -- United States Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year
(Current as of December 2019)