Space Coast's newest chiefs recognized and welcomed

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Over the last year, the term "one percent" has gotten a negative connotation from protesters and media. Recently, however, an elite "one percent" received positive recognition, even standing ovations; this distinguished group consists of men and women who the 99 percent can look up to and seek advice from.

Four newly-pinned Air Force chief master sergeants and two chief selects all assigned to Patrick AFB were recognized during a ceremony in Cocoa Beach, Fla., March 3. Chiefs hold the highest enlisted rank, E-9, and make up approximately one percent of the enlisted force.

The chiefs and chief selects recognized were: Chief Master Sgt. Ronald A. Colaninno, 920th Security Forces Squadron manager, 920th Rescue Wing; Senior Master Sgt. John M. Howorth, Geophysical Equipment Maintenance section chief, Air Force Technical Applications Center; Chief Master Sgt. Gerald D. McFadden, Current Operations Division superintendent, Air Force Technical Applications Center; Senior Master Sgt. Craig A. Neri, Logistics and Systems superintendent, Air Force Technical Applications Center; Chief Master Sgt. Christopher V. Thai, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron chief enlisted manager, 45th Space Wing; and Chief Master Sgt. Juan P. Yepez, 920th Aerospace Medical Services chief enlisted manager, 920th Rescue Wing.

Family members, friends and fellow Airmen gathered to recognize the elite group of chiefs, who are charged with advising commanders on matters concerning the morale, health, welfare, effective use, and training of enlisted personnel, and acting as a bridge between officers and enlisted members. Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, commander, 45th Space Wing; Col. Jeffrey L. Macrander, commander, 920th RQW; and many group and squadron commanders from Patrick were in attendance to show their support and give their congratulations to the honorees.

One special guest in the attendance entered the Air Force before any of the honorees had been born; in fact, by the time he retired from active duty, many audience members were barely toddlers.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Pannitto, the event's guest speaker, entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1947 and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1967. Still fitting perfectly into his Vietnam-era mess dress uniform, he spoke to the audience about his Air Force experience and how much things have changed since then.

"My service was so long ago, it's like I was in a different Air Force," Pannitto said. "Today, an E-1, an Airman Basic, earns more than a four-star general did in 1947."

He reminisced about dressing in his service dress uniform to eat dinner in the mess hall, receiving his pay in cash, and verbally testing for promotions. Pannitto went on to offer leadership advice to the new chiefs and chiefs-to-be.

"The mission must always come first, but never forget your responsibilities to your subordinates," he told the honorees. "They need your leadership, your guidance, your encouragement, and especially a pat on the back for the long hours they put in to get the job done. They don't care to know about what you know; they want to know that you care."

In his closing remarks, Pannitto congratulated the honorees on their worthy accomplishment.

"When the United States Air Force is looking for new chiefs, they do not place an ad in the classified section of the New York Times or Craigslist," he said. "They look for senior NCOs who have worked their way up through the ranks, demonstrated their ability to lead, to solve problems, and to successfully complete the mission.

Your elevation to this high status is truly a distinct honor. You are now a member of an elite group, and I welcome you to our ranks. You have earned the title chief."

The ceremony included a candle lighting tradition, where each candle represented a rank in order from Airman basic to chief. An Airman, a noncommissioned officer, and senior noncommissioned officer were selected to light candles in their rank category. As the guest of honor, Pannitto was asked to light the final candle symbolizing chief. After all the candles had been lit, the honorees led all Airmen in attendance in reciting the Airman's Creed. Next, 920th RQW Command Chief Master Sgt. Gerald J. Delebreau told the crowd and honorees the responsibilities with which all chiefs are charged.

"Making chief is an obligation of the highest importance. It encompasses honor, integrity, dedication and trust," Delebreau said. "You are charged to uphold traditions of military life and to serve your country with honor... to continue supporting the officers of the Armed Forces of the United States ensuring orders are carried out... You are charged with setting the highest examples of excellence both on and off duty providing guidance and leadership to all enlisted personnel and treating them with fairness and dignity... your word must always be your bond."

To make it official, Chief Master Sgt. John E. Nederhoed, Air Force Technical Applications Center superintendent, led the honorees in taking the Chief's Oath. Raising their right hands, the chiefs and chief selects made the vow that the elite "one percent" is trusted to keep:

I do solemnly swear to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. I shall not waiver in the execution of my duties. I have no duty hours. I will be where I am needed to accomplish the mission. I will seek integrity in all that I do. I will yield my personal needs to the service of my country. I will accept nothing less than excellence in every task. By demanding these standards of myself I will set the example of leadership for all others to follow. I will wear my chevrons proudly, and I will never forget where I came from.

To learn more about the 920th RQW, visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.