Seven SNCOs make top rank

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  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Seven of Kadena's senior non-commissioned officers were among more than 500 Air Force-wide selected for promotion to the top enlisted rank Nov. 19.

Friends, families and coworkers came together at the Airmen's Club to celebrate.

"Congratulations to all those selected for promotion to chief master sergeants," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander, who was accompanied by 18th Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. James Davis during the promotion announcement party. "Chiefs are critical to the Air Force because of their expertise. They train our lieutenants, NCOs and Airmen, and they help keep the colonels and generals straight."

Air Force officials selected 504 of 2,287 eligible senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant for a selection rate of 22.04 percent. At Kadena, the selectees were the following senior master sergeants:

Aaron Allen, 390th Intelligence Squadron
Valerie Bell, 18th Operations Support Squadron
Colleen Curl, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron
David Dorsett, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Daniel Gamble, 18th Maintenance Group
Robert Pellosma, 18th Munitions Squadron
Lisa Richards, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron

"It's a humbling experience to even be eligible, let alone be selected for chief," explained Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Richards shortly after being congratulated by her peers, family and base leadership. "It's an incredible experience."

The average score for those selected was 661.37, with an average time in grade of 3.33 years and time in service of 23.30 years, respectively. The average score was based on the following point averages: 135 for enlisted performance reports, 24.49 for decorations, 70.24 for the Air Force supervisory exam and 381.46 board score.

Looking back at her 25 years of medical experience in the Air Force, including the past year as a new aeromedical evacuation technician, Sergeant Richards offered younger enlisted Airmen the following advice:

"Keep yourself promotable and do what you love," she said. "When you start to get comfortable, it's time to do something else and broaden your horizons. Just keep moving and make sure you train your replacements."