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Senior NCOs inducted

  • Published
  • By Kandis West
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  Sergeant is an ancient term that denotes a person possessing special skills, trust and integrity.
   Eighty-three Air Force members mastered the designation of a sergeant and joined the top two percent of the enlisted force as Senior Non-Commissioned Officers last Friday night at the Tinker Club.
   Amid chants of "Anytime, Anywhere" "Wildcatters Strike it Rich" some barks and plenty of "Hooahs" new master sergeants, accompanied by spouses and children, ascended to a new tier of responsibility.
   "As a Senior NCO, you have the responsibility of leading America's sons and daughters," said guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth McQusiton. "You have taken over part of their job as a parent."
   Sergeant McQusiton, command senior enlisted leader to the commander, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., said despite his accolades, it is Team Tinker who he has entrusted with his most valuable asset, his son, an air battle manager trainee, looking forward to flying next month.
   "He is my hero. He's smarter than me, stronger than me, better than me," Sergeant McQuiston said of his son, Airman 1st Class Kyle McQuistion, 552nd Training Squadron.
   He wanted to demonstrate that parents around the world feel exactly as he does about his child and the responsibility as a protector, mentor and role model is great, the sergeant said.
   "The basic difference between the NCO and the senior NCO tier is a shift from worker to leader," said Master Sgt. Keith Endsley, 552nd Operation Support Squadron chief of Programmed Flying Training.
   Master sergeants are tasked in leadership and management positions and are expected to be operational leaders, Sergeant Endsley said.
   Senior NCO pay grades include E-7-9, encompassing master sergeants, senior master sergeants and chief master sergeants.