New chiefs inducted into elite group

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ann Stefanek
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNEWS) --  Two senior master sergeants were recognized as the newest members of the chiefs group in a ceremony Feb. 9 here. 

The two chief selectees, Denise Mikolajczyk and Steven Lantz, lit candles representing each of the nine enlisted grades achieved over their careers in order to remind them of where they came from.

Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, U.S. Air Forces Europe's command chief, was the guest speaker at the ceremony and honored the newest chiefs by giving a historical retrospective of the enlisted corps. He said that in 1959, the first group of chiefs "quietly went to work the next day wearing the new stripe."

That first group of chiefs pushed for a recognition ceremony and a special name -- chief -- which would set them apart.

"Although it took them some time, they got their way and the ceremony tonight is the result of their efforts," he said. Chief Coleman also reminded the newest chiefs that "they earned their new promotions" and said "only two out of every 100 Airmen who enter basic training will reach the grade of chief master sergeant."

Also in attendance at the ceremony were several young Airmen.
 
"It is very important to reach back and bring those young Airmen along to events like this. Just as it is important for the chiefs to remember where they came from, young Airmen need to see the possibilities of where they can go," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Antwine, the 39th Air Base Wing command chief.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page