Senior NCOs inducted at local ceremony

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tyrone Robinson
  • Eglin Top 3 Association
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Eglin has 73 new senior non-commissioned officers ready to clearly meet, and strive to exceed, the standards and expectations levied upon all junior enlisted Airmen and NCOs.

The master sergeants were officially inducted into the SNCO tier during the base Top-3 Association's annual ceremony July 24 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center.

"This was a five-star event; as far as I'm concerned, it was the best I have ever seen" said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Westermeyer, Air Armament Center and 96th Air Base Wing command chief. "After meeting with these future Senior NCOs, I am convinced that our promotion system is promoting the right people. These 73 future senior leaders have been charged to epitomize excellence, professionalism, pride, and competence while serving as role models for all Airmen to emulate."

More than 400 guests, co-workers and family members attended the extravagant banquet. The selectees received a medallion to commensurate their outstanding achievement from their respective wing leadership, Chief Westermeyer, and the Air Armament Center Commander, Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis.

One by one, the selectees walked onto the stage to receive their SNCO certificates from the general and the chief. Additionally, each selectee received a plaque with a master sergeant stripe and their respective promotion line-number embedded on it, compliments of Eglin's Top-3 Association, to honor their new roles as enlisted leaders.

"We were welcomed into the Air Force top enlisted tier in style," said Tech. Sgt. Latoya Guardia of Detachment 9, Training Support Squadron (Air Combat Command) who will be promoted next spring. "They've made the ceremony memorable for all. The hard work put into the event was evident and truly appreciated. I look forward to getting involved with other Top 3 events."

As they departed the stage, they walked onto a long red carpet and underneath elegant "crossed sabers", also known as the "arch of sabers." The arch of sabers was formed by an honor guard made up of members of the Eglin First Sergeants Council.

Chief Master Sgt. Neal Moser, 53rd Electronic Warfare Group's command chief and guest speaker for the event, told the new SNCOs to accomplish the mission and he challenged them to lead and develop those in ranks below theirs.

Each selectee's spouse or significant other received either a long stemmed rose (for ladies) or boutonniere (for gentlemen) to honor the dedication bestowed by family members to their American Airmen.

Everyone in attendance recited the Air Force Creed, a time-honored tradition.

The end of the ceremony was defined by prideful applause and the Air Force song.