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Former CMSAF visits Tinker, SNCO inductees

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  The eighth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Sam E. Parish spoke to the new Senior Non-Commissioned Officer inductees at their banquet last week. 

"This individual needs no introduction because of his acclaim, outgoing-ness and telling it like it is no matter where he goes throughout the Air Force," said 72nd Air Base Wing Command Chief Eric Harmon. "Chief Parish is a person that is caring and passionate about the Air Force and Airmen." 

Chief Parish has been serving over 54 years, 32 on active duty and 22 plus since retiring.
"It was almost 44 years ago when I received word I was promoted to master sergeant. In those days, even though promotion to master sergeant was extremely rare, we didn't have ceremonies that recognized promotions of any enlisted grades," said Chief Parish. "Promotions were very important to us as it signified to us the greater responsibility for jobs and the authority over the people doing those jobs." 

Chief Parish was adviser to secretaries of the Air Force Verne Orr, Russell A. Rourke and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles A. Gabriel. 

"No one ever bothered to tell me what was expected of me as a senior NCO, instead they showed me every day by their actions. If I did anything that bordered on misconduct, I was told," said Chief Parish. 

Chief Parish advised the secretaries on matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the Air Force. 

"I never had a boss in my entire career that didn't know everything about me and my family. This type of leadership was the foundation for my next 23 years in Air Force blue," said the chief. 

Chief Parish was the eighth chief master sergeant appointed as the Air Force's top NCO.
"I believe very strongly that our commanders of today look for the same things from our senior NCO's that our commanders of the past looked for," said Chief Parish.
He explained to the attendees that leadership needs integrity, commitment and involvement. He mentioned that it went along with the theme for the night of "Honor, Integrity and Service." 

"I salute those that have been promoted, this is the start of a very exciting journey and it will be remembered by each of you for a very long time," said Chief Parish. "Each of you did a superb job to get where you are and are being recognized for taking the extra step and going the extra mile." 

Chief Parish was appointed Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Aug 1, 1983. He retired from the Air Force June 30, 1986.

552nd Air Control Wing
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Altman, Tech. Sgt. Sheila A. Beaufeaux, Master Sgt. Keith A. Bodenhoff, Master Sgt. Todd C. Bowling, Tech. Sgt. Leonard D. Britt, Tech. Sgt. Brian D. Brown, Tech. Sgt. Colleen M. Callahan, Tech. Sgt. Paul R. Cejka, Master Sgt. Jesse V. Dean III, Tech. Sgt. Brian R. Deblis, Tech. Sgt. Charlotte M. Derby, Master Sgt. Roberto Diaz Jr., Tech. Sgt. Brannon T. Elder, Tech. Sgt. Nikkia S. Fain, Master Sgt. Bruce A. Faris, Tech. Sgt. Mark S. Giesbrecht, Tech. Sgt. Arthur A. Gilbert, Tech. Sgt. Tim Gydov, Tech. Sgt. Samuel F. Harris, Tech. Sgt. Michael G. Hill, Tech. Sgt. Christopher R. Huddleston, Sgt Deborah J. Johnson, Tech. Sgt. John A. Keep, Tech. Sgt. Donald R. Kelly, Tech. Sgt. Jonathan L. Koonce, Tech. Sgt. Michael E. Lane, Tech. Sgt. William McGurk

552nd Air Control Wing
Tech. Sgt. Jason A. Mckinney, Master Sgt. Gary H. Mcleod, Tech. Sgt. Jason F. Merritt, Tech. Sgt. James W. Miller, Tech. Sgt. William D. I Morgan, Tech. Sgt. Christine E. Partigianoni, Tech. Sgt. Patrick S. Patterson, Tech. Sgt. Jason W. Reaves, Tech. Sgt. Cornelius Richardson, Tech. Sgt. Erich M. Ross, Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Schultz, Tech. Sgt. Michael C. Smith, Tech. Sgt. Dennis D. Vanzant,
Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Watson, Tech. Sgt. Jeremy J. Witte, Tech. Sgt. Bradley J. Zikas

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Master Sgt. Glenda D. Ipock

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Tech. Sgt. Albert R. Bryant Jr., Tech. Sgt. Mark A. Nichols

72nd Air Base Wing
Tech. Sgt. James L. Bartley, Tech. Sgt. Terrance D. Baucum, Tech. Sgt. Michelle L. Bucia, Tech. Sgt. Terry R. Freeman, Tech. Sgt. Lila M. Gaitan, Master Sgt. Andre T. Hankerson, Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey P. Joy, Tech. Sgt. Dusty L. Maugh, Tech. Sgt. James P. Mogren, Tech. Sgt. Flor De Lu Morales, Tech. Sgt. Rachael M. Scott,
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349th Recruiting Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Chris Betancourt

373rd Training Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Tammy M. Shaw

412th Logistics Support Squadron
Master Sgt. David L. Abell

5th Manpower Requirements Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey W. Threet

557th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Michael B. Dedmon

Air Force Flight Standards Agency
Tech. Sgt. James W. Blevins Jr., Tech. Sgt. Sherry L. Smith

Air Force Research Lab
Tech. Sgt. James M. Loncher

507th Air Refueling Wing
Master Sgt. Gary V. Berry, Master Sgt. Lisa M. Bingenheimer, Master Sgt. Allen G. Box, Master Sgt. Spencer C. Cluff, Master Sgt. James T. Courtney, Master Sgt. Nathaniel O. Dodoo, Master Sgt. Shaun Fountain, Master Sgt. Rodney Hall, Master Sgt. Justin D. Hopkins, Master Sgt. Robert A. Loveland, Master Sgt. Clifford A. Pigford, Master Sgt. James C. Stanton, Master Sgt. Robert M. Steflik, Master Sgt. Stephanie Tolliver-Clarke, Master Sgt. David Van Nostrand

3rd Combat Communications Group
Tech. Sgt. John K. Hall, Tech. Sgt. Joseph F. Hunter, Tech. Sgt. Thomas L. Klutz, Tech. Sgt. Derrick G. Lang, Master Sgt. Deborah L. Linam, Tech. Sgt. Bryan S. Wilson