Reaching the top: 2 Sheppard members promoted to E-9 Published April 8, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Two chief master sergeant selects were recognized at the Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony April 4 for reaching the highest enlisted rank aside from Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Senior Master Sgts. Tanya Yahn and Paul Raymond are now part of the one percent of the Air Force in the E-9 grade. Through all of their accomplishments, both chief selects said their success was not a result of their own work, but a result of the people around them. "It's a reflection of the consolidated efforts of everyone I ever came across," said Sergeant Raymond, 82nd Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent. He said every leader he had above him and every Airman below him has taught him something, and the promotion is an opportunity to reciprocate. "I want to develop people the way I was developed," Sergeant Raymond said. "I want to develop them to be leaders for the future Air Force." Sergeant Yahn, superintendent of the 82nd Medical Support Squadron, agreed with Sergeant Raymond and said it's a great feeling to be able to reach her dream while giving back to Airmen. "We've gotten to the pinnacle, and now I want to help others grow the same way my leaders helped me grow," she said. At the promotion ceremony, guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Paul Moreau, 2nd Air Force command chief, said that Sergeant Yahn and Sergeant Raymond have the right attitude about their new rank. "It's huge, but you're not done yet," he said to the new chiefs. He said they have more responsibilities as chiefs. "Remember, it's not about you, it's about developing your Airmen." Chief Moreau said their new duty as chief is to make sure their Airmen share the same vision as the commander. He said the new chiefs will find commanders asking what they think about an issue and "nine times out of 10, a commander will do what you said." "Commanders know the value of a chief because chiefs are a collection of experiences," Chief Moreau said. Sergeant Yahn has served in the Air Force since October 1989, and deployed four times in support of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Raymond has served in the Air Force since November 1990. His background includes challenging positions in Pacific Air Forces Headquarters, Fifth Air Force and 13th Air Force as chief of information systems and network management, integrated deployment director, NCO in charge of Pacific Air Forces Supply Squadron Mission Capable Cell, and command traffic manager.