Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs –
For any career-minded enlisted service member, advancing through the ranks to E-9 marks the culmination of years of service before self, sacrifice and a true love of the military. Six Joint Base Charleston Airmen received the news this week that they had in fact, reached the top of the enlisted ranks.
Senior Master Sgt. Nathaniel Hawkins, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. Kendrick Shropshire, 437th Maintenance Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. Jason Winegar, 437th Maintenance Group, Senior Master Sgt. Terry Jones, 437th Operations Support Squadron and Senior Master Sgt. Philip Hudson, 437th Operations Group and Senior Master Sgt. Barry Sessions, 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, were among the 487 senior master sergeants selected out of a group of 2,201 eligible candidates, Air Force wide.
Col. Richard McComb, Joint Base Charleston commander, Col. Erik Hansen, 437th Airlift Wing commander, Col. James Clavenna, 437th Maintenance Group commander and Col. Justin Davey, 628th Mission Support Group commander, along with a group of JB Charleston chief master sergeants, boarded a bus Nov. 2 and personally delivered the good news to the new selectees at their work centers and homes.
"I was thinking either something very bad has happened or something very good is about to happen," said Jones as he watched his senior leadership approach his office to deliver the news. "I couldn't believe it when they told me. It was unbelievable."
Hudson said, "Although I will wear the Chief chevrons, my friends, peers, subordinates, superiors and, most importantly, my family deserves the credit for this promotion. I promise to always keep faith with my enlisted roots while honoring the legacy of the Chiefs who preceded me."
Only one percent of the enlisted force makes it to the E-9 level. This year's selectees had an average Time in Grade of 3.09 years and a total Time in Service of 22.85 years and average 42.86 years of age.