Chief Master Sergeant recognition ceremony celebrates leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The names of a senior master sergeant and his spouse are announced as they walk carefully under an archway of sabers. He recently received a medallion that bears the symbol of his next rank, and as he looks among his peers, he knows they all worked hard and sacrificed a lot to be there.  All of the honorees are wearing mess dress and have been escorted to their seats as a time-honored tradition is starting ­- the recognition that he is about to become a chief master sergeant in the United States Air Force.

But why have a formal ceremony for yet another promotion?

"The position of chief master sergeant was established in 1958," said Chief Master Sgt. Garry Berry, 673d Air Base Wing command chief. "The first group of 625 chief master sergeants was promoted to the new grade on December 1, 1959.  Formally recognizing the chief master sergeant promotion is a tradition that dates back 30 years with chiefs at installations across the Air Force conducting an annual recognition ceremony to highlight the significance and added responsibilities associated with being into the top one percent of the enlisted force."

On Jan. 29, JBER recognized 16 Airmen who achieved this rank in a ceremony featuring congratulations from their commanders, reception of a medallion representing the moment, a candle-lighting ceremony that acknowledges each previous rank, and a dinner honoring their spouse and support system who took the journey with them.

For Senior Master Sgt. Jason Micklewright, 673d Medical Supply Squadron pharmacy flight superintendent, the path to the ceremony started long ago and was not the clear goal for his career.

"I joined the service in November of 1994," Micklewright said. "I went to basic training as a 19-year-old kid in 'open general' and not really knowing what to expect. My second choice was 'pharmacy' so I was chosen for that one, went to tech school and learned about the job.  My original goal was four and out."

Micklewright's first duty station was Fort Dix, New Jersey. After serving his enlistment at an Army post, with one temporary duty at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, he reenlisted and later volunteered to be a military training instructor as a technical sergeant. As an MTI, Micklewright said he figured out one of the most basic mindsets of leadership.

"I found that it wasn't about me," he said.  "It's about others ... can I make others better? Do the people around you succeed because of your efforts? If you can make other people successful then people will want to be around you and work with you."

Like many of the leaders honored in the ceremony, Micklewright took this concept to his position as first sergeant in 2009 and later as superintendent for his unit.

"As I progressed through the ranks, the focus was less on me and more on those coming up behind me," Micklewright said. "Can I make their careers a little better?  Can I give them something so they don't make the same mistakes I did?  Or can I move some of the rocks out of the way so they can be successful?"

The other inductees at the ceremony also proved a level of consistent leadership and professionalism which earned them the honor of wearing the highest enlisted rank, excluding Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.  They were the focus of the evening as they rang in a new chapter in their career.  However, this was obviously not the end.

"It's the last promotion, so the ceremony should be an event that reminds us of where we came from and that there is still so much work to be done," said Chief Master Sergeant Bryant Roy, 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron superintendent. "I don't think any one of us considers the stripe a destination."

Micklewright said becoming a chief master sergeant just gives him more opportunity and ability to help other people.

"I have been in for 21 years now and I still love doing what I do," he said. "The vast majority of my career is behind me, there is no escaping that. I can't do 50 years. But in my time I can help a lot of people and I can leave the Air Force ."