Guests gathered for the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Induction Medallion Ceremony in the ballroom at the Hill Air Force Base Landing  July 25. This formal event was held to recognize the attainment of a major milestone in the careers of 52 Team Hill Members’ promotion to rank of master sergeant and induction into the senior NCO corps.

Col. Ron Jolly and Chief Master Sgt. Rhonda Miller, 75th Air Base Wing commander and command chief master sergeant respectively, presented the inductees with their medallions at this event that included a social hour, dinner, and the ceremony. Master Sgt. Robert Brown, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, and Master Sgt. Lamont Williams, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, served as masters of ceremony for this event and Miller served as the distinguished guest speaker. 

Brown noted a senior NCO in the U.S. Air Force “joins an elite group. The term sergeant is an ancient, honorable one that denotes a person possessing special skills, trust, and integrity … more will be expected of you, more will be demanded of you; not because you are an E-7, but because you are now, a senior NCO. This vital and highly regarded position you have now reached exists because of the attitude and performance.”

The 52 inductees have mastered the technical, managerial, and leadership skills required to become a senior NCO. After dinner, each inductee was presented with a certificate of recognition certifying their induction into the senior NCO corps of the U.S. Air Force.

“The need for strong leadership within our senior NCO ranks is greater now than ever before. Fortunately, today’s enlisted ranks are made up of proud Airmen that are more educated, trained to a higher degree, and willing to accept the challenges that present themselves from both external and internal sources. Our faith is well placed,” says one event coordinator Master Sgt. Ezekiel Jimenez, 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron. “It is no longer about just being a technical expert; it is about the ability to lead and to put the Airmen first.”

Coordinators enjoy hosting this event so deserving senior NCO are recognized by their commanders, peers, and family members. The Senior NCO Induction Ceremony is the formal public recognition of Airmen transitioning into an area of increased responsibility, said Jimenez.

“It is a time to honor tradition dating back to the inception of the Air Force. That primary responsibility is to take care of America’s Airmen, and I personally can’t think of a more important, difficult and rewarding job anywhere,” he said.