Six master sergeant selects honored at SNCO Induction Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Team BLAZE welcomed six of its newest Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at the SNCO Induction Ceremony Aug. 7 at the Columbus Club.

The Induction Ceremony is a time honored tradition that recognizes Airmen who will make the transition from NCO to SNCO.

The SNCO tier makes up a small portion of the enlisted force. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Thompson, 14th Wing Staff Agency NCOIC Chapel Operations, broke down the enlisted force structure and what it meant for him to cross into the SNCO tier.

"You've got three tiers; Airman tier, NCO tier and SNCO tier," said Thompson. "Crossing from the Airman to NCO tier is a pretty big step. Making staff sergeant is no joke, but the top three, master sergeant, senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant are only 18 percent of the Air Force; a fairly big step, so being able to make it to where my first supervisor hadn't is pretty big for me."

A SNCO is still expected to accomplish many of the same tasks as an NCO; however SNCOs view the mission with a wider scope.

"When you reach SNCO, it's not too different," said Thompson. "We are still taking care of Airmen, but now it jumps into the realm of being strategic. Strategic is not only overseeing the NCOs that are working with Airmen, but now it's looking big picture. It's asking 'how does this impact the Air Force?' and 'how does this impact Columbus AFB as a whole?'"

The evening of the ceremony started out with an introduction of the six technical sergeants in line to promote to master sergeant. Among the inductees were Tech. Sgts. Sarah Heideman, 14th Communications Squadron, Jason Layfield, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, Rodney McInnis, 14th Comptroller Squadron, Darrel Meyers, 14th Force Support Squadron, Justin Rouhoff, 332nd Recruiter Squadron and Christopher Thompson, 14th Wing Staff Agency.

After a base honor guard Prisoner of War/Missing in Action table presentation, where all attendees toasted to our nation's fallen comrades, dinner was served.

Following dinner, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Horn, Command Chief Master Sergeant Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. spoke to the inductees and the gathered crowd. After the speech, it was time for the main event: the induction ceremony. The inductees walked through a six-man saber team containing the progression of ranks from airman, airman 1st class, senior airman, staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant. As they walked through the sabers with their spouses, they officially became inducted into the SNCO ranks, swearing to always keep the needs of the enlisted force in plain view and to never compromise their integrity or honor.

The night ended with the dousing of the POW/MIA candle and a reciting of the Air Force Creed.

"More than anything I appreciate the Top 3 for putting the event on," said Thompson. "I have been in the Air Force for 15 years. Being here at Columbus AFB, it's nice to be able to go to these events. It builds the esprit de corps."