Charter Chief Golden Anniversary is Dec. 1

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  One of the most significant milestones in the enlisted history of the Air Force was the creation of the rank of chief master sergeant.

Barksdale will be hosting the 50th golden anniversary celebration honoring the promotion of the first Chief Master Sergeants in the Air Force on Dec. 1 at the El Dorado Casino and Hotel in Shreveport.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, will be the guest speaker.

"The Charter Chief golden anniversary will have a positive effect on morale," said Chief Master Sgt. Anna Collins, 2d Mission Support Group superintendent. "It is an opportunity to learn what it felt like to be selected and promoted to chief in 1959 first-hand from our 'founding fathers', who are a living part of our Air Force enlisted history. The pride and honor that these Charter Chiefs reflect everyday in their actions serves as a motivator for myself and others."

The explosion of technology during World War II and Korea created a need for enlisted men with leadership and technical ability. Congress created the super grades as a part of the Career Compensation Act of 1958.

The first promotion boards were held at command levels with field grade officers as members. The board members looked at demonstrated leadership and supervisory ability, evaluation and commander's recommendations.

The selections were kept under lock and key until December 1, 1959. Announcement and promotion took place that same day.

The Air Force promoted 625 Airmen to chief. The greatest number of promotions went to the aircraft maintenance career field. These 625 Airmen became known as the Charter Chiefs. There are less than 100 surviving.

The Charter Chiefs served with dignity and established the highest standards of leadership. They forged the ground rules for chiefs to come.

The Charter Chiefs served with professionalism, excellence, pride and dignity, while establishing the highest standards of leadership, said by Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ann Pace, 2d Bomb Wing command chief and (Ret.) Chief Master Sgt. Jim Flasch, Charter Chief retired. These chiefs forges the ground rules for chief master sergeants of the future. It is important to remember and inform all Airmen that these Charter Chiefs set the foundation for our ranks today.

The prestige of the rank of chief flowered throughout the years and today is one of the most respected ranks in the Air Force.

For more information on the golden anniversary event, email Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Mary Billingy or Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Paul LeFlame at cmsgtgoldanv@hotmail.com