JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Steeped in spirit and tradition, the Team McChord’s annual 24th Chief’s Induction Ceremony recognized the newest chief master sergeants from active duty, reserve, and the Washington Air National Guard. Out of nine chiefs selected to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force at McChord, four were from the Rainier Wing, which took place Feb. 8 at the club here at McChord Field.
The four Reserve Citizen Airmen selected for chief master sergeant are: Kenneth Mazzuca, 446th Security Forces Squadron, Cherie Rogers, 446th Airlift Wing, Daniel Skoglund, 446th Maintenance Squadron, and Marshall Stokoe, 86th Aerial Port Squadron.
“I had the opportunity to sit down with all the chiefs before they stepped into their new rank,” said Chief Master Sgt. Kennelias Smith, 446th Airlift Wing command chief. “As the wing is going through a time of transition, I think this newest group of chiefs is going to bring a great deal of diversity to the wing.”
Reaching the pinnacle of the enlisted ranks is no easy task, and has been quite the journey for one chief.
“My career to this point has definitely been adventurous,” said Stokoe. “Over the last 24 years, I have worked with some of the best people our great nation has to offer. I have spent the last 20 years of my career with the 86th APS, and they are truly are my second family. I couldn't ask for a better group of folks to work with, and I look forward to serving them as their chief going forward.”
With six deployments and traveling to four of the seven continents in a career spanning more than two decades, Stokoe has no plans of slowing down.
“As chief of the 86th APS, my top priority is mentorship,” said Stokoe. “We have already been placing a greater focus on our mentorship program, and I want to continue to expand on that. I see great potential in our Airmen, but they need our help--at all levels. We need to lead by example and show our folks the way forward.”
According to Stokoe, people are his greatest asset. And while mentorship is a priority, he also wants to hear what they have to say.
“We have far too many outstanding and creative airmen in the 446th AW to let their ideas be ignored,” said Stokoe. “The breadth of experience our people bring from both their military and civilian careers is awe inspiring. Making them part of the conversation and bringing their ideas together can only make us a stronger, and more effective organization.”
There is no easy button for balancing a civilian career, school, family, and military responsibilities, Stokoe advised. This is not something easily managed and sometimes can be overwhelming.
“Probably the biggest challenge that Rainier Wing reservists face is time--or lack thereof,” Stokoe said. “Each month we have to squeeze 30 days of work into two. We are working hard to streamline our monthly schedule to ensure we are utilizing the time we have in the most efficient way possible. This allows us to dedicate time for training each month and eliminate unnecessary meetings. We have to continue to encourage our folks to manage their time effectively, and show them that their sacrifices are appreciated.”
While promoting to the highest rank in the enlisted force is the pinnacle in an Airman’s career, it does not signal the end.
“I am proud of all of our wing’s newest chiefs and I celebrate with all of them in this significant accomplishment,” said Smith. “This group has really paid their dues and earned the right, not to be called E-9’s, but to be called chiefs. I look forward to serving with them, as this is truly the beginning of their career and not the end.”