37 recognized for promotion to E-7

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Victor J. Caputo and John Linzmeier
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Thirty seven technical and master sergeants from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing marked a milestone in their careers as they were recognized for being promoted to or selected for promotion to the rank of master sergeant during the Annual Senior Non-commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony Aug. 9.

The honored guest speaker during the function was retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James McCoy, who served as CMSAF from 1979 to 1981. He reminded them that although their promotion was important, they must remember that they are more important than ever now.

"The first thing they need to be is leaders," said McCoy. "Be strong leaders, be positive leaders, set the example. Be a role model. For a new master sergeant today, he or she has got to have great leadership traits and realize that he or she is in the senior NCO ranks."

McCoy emphasized that the attitude and manners of a master sergeant are taken into account much more by young Airmen and NCOs, making honesty a critical trait.

"Integrity is key in my book," said McCoy. "It's one of our core values in our Air Force. That means that you stand by your word, you're honest, you're willing to express your opinions and you're willing to stand up for your people. If you're willing to stand up for your people, take care of your people, they'll take care of you and they'll take care of your mission."

The retired chief's sentiments were echoed by the 22nd ARW's command chief master sergeant.

"The single most important thing for a new master sergeant to understand is the concept that attitude reflects leadership," said Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth Wright. "You set the tone, you set the pace. If you have a bad attitude all the time, that's what you can expect from your people. On the other hand, if you are upbeat, outgoing and solve problems in a positive manner, their attitude will reflect yours."

Being a leader is one of the pillars of being a senior NCO, but one does not simply put on an extra stripe and begin directing people.

"Leadership is not just something that you can call on," said Wright. "If you couldn't depend on me as a staff sergeant or technical sergeant for help, just because I put on master sergeant doesn't mean I can actually do it."

The promotion to E-7 is not easy, though, and the technical sergeants selected here at McConnell AFB were eager to show their excitement and appreciation on the night of the induction ceremony.

"I was ecstatic because I was waiting for this for a very long time and a lot of people have been behind me telling me I was ready," said Tech. Sgt. James Smith, 22nd ARW Chapel operations manager. "I hope it will make a difference in the way I am able to care for Airmen in my role as a chaplain assistant and being able to support Airmen at all different levels and help get them to the place where they can lead."

Smith, who will be promoted at the beginning of fall, marked the special occasion with his daughter being his guest of honor.

One of the younger E-6s in attendance was Tech. Sgt. Chris Walthall, 22nd Medical Support Squadron medical readiness NCO in-charge. While he will not be putting his new rank on until summer 2014, Walthall was ecstatic to have earned a line number on his first attempt for master sergeant.

"What I'm expecting is that we'll be stepping up into more of a leadership role, being more engaged with the Airmen," he said. "I feel like I will have more say, a more connected relationship with my commanders, and be better able to have that good relationship in order to direct our unit in where it needs to go and progress and improve."

The up-and-coming senior NCOs were left with a word of advice from the retired CMSAF.

"As a senior non-commissioned officer, don't try to pull the wool over your Airman's eyes," said McCoy. "They'll see through you like you wouldn't believe. They're too well educated today to let that happen."