Sheppard welcomes new senior NCOs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Fifty technical sergeants joined the rank of master sergeant during the Senior NCO Induction Ceremony July 30 at the Multi-purpose Events Center in Wichita Falls.

A Senior NCO Induction is a ceremony to honor and recognize an Airman's elevation from the NCO leadership tier to becoming a senior enlisted leader. More than 400 of the inductee's peers, supervisors, leadership and family were in attendance.

The guest speaker for the event, 2nd Air Force Command Chief Chief Master Sergeant Linus Jordan, offered direction for the new senior enlisted Airmen to adopt.

"Remember your goals," said the chief. "If you are accepting this master sergeant stripe then you are telling us that your goal is to be the best Airman you can be. Because that is what our Air Force expects of senior NCOs."

Chief Jordan advised the inductees to remember their purpose.

He said to follow leaders, orders and directions; lead subordinates, peers and superiors; and to guide and mentor others to create better leaders, followers and Airmen.

In addition, Chief Jordan reminded the new senior NCOs to remember their promise to serve their subordinates, superiors, peers, families and country.

The inductees also felt the impact of what they have accomplished in achieving this rank.

"It was a very exciting moment the minute I heard I was going to become a senior NCO," said Tech. Sgt. Jayson Baros, newly inducted senior NCO. "At the same time, I had an overwhelming feeling of the increased responsibility I was about to adopt.

"I really look forward to becoming a senior leader, someone that is looked up to for answers. Answers not only relating to an Airman's job, but life itself."

The chief shared a personal story with the attendees advising the importance of keeping a balanced perspective on things and how that can lead to an infectiously positive attitude.

"Master sergeants... I'm very proud of each and every one of you," the chief said.

Including detached units, 127 Sheppard technical sergeants were among the 5,424 selected for promotion to master sergeant.