LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.-- –
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the chief master sergeant rank and the Langley's Chiefs Group is celebrating by holding an event each month through December.
The first event was the chief promotion recognition dinner for 30 senior master sergeants who were inducted into the chiefs group at the Langley Enlisted Club Jan. 9.
"The creation of the rank chief master sergeant was approved by Congress through the Career Compensation Act of 1958 and is one of the most significant events in Air Force enlisted history," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Hawman, 30th Intelligence Squadron superintendent. "It alleviated the grade suppression and promotion stagnation that was a major problem in the Air Force in the 1950s."
The new rank of chief opened leadership opportunities for enlisted men and women and was a key step in the evolution of the Air Force non-commissioned officer's corp.
On Dec. 1, 1959, more than 620 Air Force members assumed the new elite rank of chief master sergeant from a pool of more than 58,000 master sergeants, according to www.ncohistory.com. Of the original chiefs selected less than 70 are still living.
"Individuals that earn the rank of chief master sergeant represent the absolute pinnacle in the enlisted force structure," said Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle, 1st Mission Support Group superintendent and president of the Langley Chiefs Group. "This Golden anniversary will serve as an opportunity to celebrate our past enlisted leaders and ensure enlisted Airman know where we came from."
The Langley Chiefs Group has planned the following monthly events:
February - Heritage of enlisted leadership ... Where we came from, Feb. 18
March - SNCO Forum - Leaving it better than you found it
April - Club 56 / NCO forum - Leadership on the links-Day of mentoring, April 10
May - Company grade officer's forum - Relationship building. (Air Force CGO Conference)
June - ACE / Airmen forum - Are you a future chief?
July - Enlisted all call - Creative leadership/historical site visit
August - SNCO forum - Joint leadership: Navy, Marine Corps installation
September - SNCO forum - Joint leadership: Army installation visit
October - Enlisted all call - Command chief's forum
November - Enlisted all call - Creative leadership lessons
December - Enlisted dining-in Dec. 11 - 50th Anniversary of the chief master sergeant
For more information, contact Chief Evalle at 764-4321 or any Langley chief.