WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Thirteen senior noncommissioned officers were inducted into the 131st Bomb Wing’s SNCO Corps during a ceremony held in Knob Noster, Missouri, Jan. 8, 2023.
The 131st Bomb Wing leadership believes it’s important to recognize the newly-promoted SNCOs for the added duties and responsibilities they will assume in their new positions.
“Our master sergeants are so incredibly important to mission success,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Henke, 131st Bomb Wing command chief master sergeant. “They create environments in which members want to continue to serve. Those folks who were inducted today are at the tip of the spear; they create the culture and environment that keeps people coming back to drill.” he said.
During the ceremony, each SNCO was presented a medallion by Chief Master Sgt. Barbara Johnson, 131st Medical Group senior enlisted leader. Johnson led the SNCO creed with the inductees affirming their new role in the unit, ushering in the new SNCOs at the start of the new year.
Guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt. Lee Utsey, 509th Operations Group superintendent, said to the inductees that they will be asked to perform many different jobs as they take on new responsibilities that come with the rank of master sergeant. Utsey said the SNCOs need to have the skills of an acrobat and builder to stay flexible and build strong relationships.
“It's definitely a new weight taking on the responsibilities and rank,” said Master Sgt. Carrie Neville, one of the inductees. “But it's one that I think that my mentor has prepared me for… I'm excited and ready for this,” she said.