27 USAFA NCOs inducted into senior NCO corps

  • Published
  • By Ray Bowden
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  More than two dozen master sergeants here started their weekend with a stately ceremony Friday night at the Falcon Club: official induction into the senior NCO corps.

Col. Stacey Hawkins, the 10th Air Base Wing commander, presided over the event. Hawkins and Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff, the Academy's command chief, both spoke at the event, congratulating the newly-inducted NCOs and their families.

"We remain the world's greatest Air Force because of the dedication and commitment of our enlisted force," Hawkins said. "That force is led by a professional senior NCO corps which is unrivaled in the history of modern warfare. It's humbling to bring attention to the promotion of any Airman, but I was particularly thrilled in this case to help recognize the achievements of these Front Range NCOs who, as the direct result of their hard work, skill and leadership abilities, have joined the Air Force's senior NCO ranks. These senior enlisted leaders are going to take care of today's mission and today's Airmen, while building and leading tomorrow's Air Force. I'm ecstatic for these superb Airmen and their families."

Grindstaff said the inducted master sergeants should never underestimate the scope of their influence to positively affect the Academy and the Air Force-at-large.

"It's no secret we have the world's best Air Force," Grindstaff said before the ceremony. "Why is that? I may be biased here, but I'm convinced it's because we have the best NCOs of any force in the world. We do more with less, we lead from the front, and we take care of our people. I know beyond any shadow of doubt that these new senior NCOs are the right enlisted leaders for the Air Force and for the Academy. Regardless of their career field, regardless of any challenge or obstacle they may face, I know they'll get the job done and lead from the front, because that's what senior NCOs do."

Master Sgt. Zach Marshall, an Academy Military Trainer is one of the inductees. He was promoted February 1, but doesn't expect the luster of being a senior NCO to wear off anytime soon.

'I'm very excited to be part of the Top 3 and I know those of us inducted look forward to doing our best to provide positive leadership for the Academy," Marshall said. "Colonel Hawkins and Chief Grindstaff's speeches were very heartfelt and really summed up the importance of the senior NCO tier. I'm proud to be a senior NCO."

Academy master sergeants Inducted Friday:
· Charles Coleman
· Timothy DeWitt
· Charles Frye
· William Fundling
· Duane Gandy
· Brian Howell
· Heidi Hunter
· Gary Larson
· Jason Linta
· Scott Lauer
· William Malone
· Brian Manning
· Lisa Marshall
· Zachary Marshall
· Casey Muccio
· Michael Nissen
· Shaqana Pace
· Christina Petruzzi
· Marc Ramey
· Nathan Reiger
· Jenet Shaffner
· Christy Stephens
· Keith Sue
· Ivette Walter
· Kerry Warren
· Paul Wilcox