Induction Ceremony recognizes accomplishments

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Deb McGuane
  • 336 Air Refueling Squadron
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  The 452 Air Mobility Wing and 163 Reconnaissance Wing Chief's Groups held their bi-annual Chief Induction Ceremony on base Jan. 7 to recognize those individuals selected for advancement to Chief Master Sergeant during the past two years.

Recognized in the 2012 ceremony were Chief Master Sgts. Michael Batchelor, 452 Communications Squadron; Kent Johnson, 452 Logistics Readiness Squadron; Benjamin Worley, 452 Mission Support Group; Rene Benitez, 163 Maintenance Group; Jennifer Crain, 163 Medical Group; Keith Ericson, 163 Maintenance Operations Flight; Jose Hinojosa, 452 Maintenance Squadron; Raejean Huch, 452 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron; Raymond Phillips, 163 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Amy Rae-Contreras, 452 Operations Support Squadron and Cheryl Wente, 452 Medical Group.

The 2012 ceremony was an excellent example of recognizing career accomplishments and demonstrating Team March cohesiveness with the 452 AMW March Field and 163 RW Grizzly Chief's Groups, said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Dempsey, 163 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

From the first recordings of organized military history, certain individuals, because of their leadership, courage, knowledge, and other tangible and intangible qualities, were selected to be leaders. Those in the forefront became senior noncommissioned officers, and within that group, a select few have further proven themselves capable of carrying the highest banner for the enlisted force. The individuals recognized during this ceremony earned the rank of chief master sergeant. We are recognizing the fruits of their hard work, loyal service, distinctive accomplishments, and unlimited leadership potential.

This ceremony, not only honors those being inducted as chief master sergeants, but also demonstrates both a commonalty of purpose and experience within the highest rank of enlisted leadership and announces with pride that we, the chiefs, will work together to achieve our goals of taking care of people, accomplishing the mission, and protecting our country and its way of life.

The chief master sergeants inducted during this ceremony are challenged to continue to enhance a proud tradition of personal dedication and unified achievement. Each promotion within the enlisted force is a significant step in an air force career. In climbing the ladder to the top, each step becomes more professionally challenging, and yet, more personally rewarding. By law, within the armed services only one percent of the enlisted force can hold the top enlisted grade -- within the United States Air Force -- that rank is chief master sergeant.

"The Chief's Induction Ceremony was one of the highlights of my military career. It brought home what it means to be a chief. It is more than a pay grade or set of many stripes. A chief is the person who is always there for the commander and the Airmen. The road to being a chief begins at Airman for all of us," said Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Phillips, 163 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.