CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston inducted its newest Command Chief Master Sergeant here June 1, in a ceremony not only marking the appointment of the base's 14th command chief master sergeant but also the first time a female was appointed to this position.
Chief Master Sgt. Bernise Belcer said she does not put much importance on the fact that she is the first appointed female for the position, but does emphasize her enthusiasm and appreciation.
"The thought of being the first female command chief never crossed my mind," said Chief Belcer. "I am just really happy and thankful that I was chosen. I feel really blessed that I was selected and look forward to broadening avenues and providing support for the Airmen of Charleston AFB."
In 1982, Chief Belcer graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Educational Psychology. After some bad experiences during various job interviews, she decided to enlist in the military.
"During a couple of those interviews it felt as if I was being sexually harassed and that frightened me a little," said Chief Belcer. "I realized I had to do something and with the job market the way it was, I started to consider the military."
Chief Belcer remembers going past the recruiting station, taking notice to the service recruiters standing in their doorways trying to get people to come in off the street. The only doorway free of any pressure was the Air Force recruiter, and in she walked.
"I remember seeing the Air Force recruiter and all I remember is how impressive he looked," said Chief Belcer. "He didn't try to get people off the street like the other recruiters; he waited for people to come to him."
After speaking with the AF recruiter, she was anxious to join and leave as soon as possible to get started. In order to do that, she would not be guaranteed a specific job but the recruiter could guarantee her a specific area. It was then that Chief Belcer entered the Air Force "open general" for administration.
After signing up, Chief Belcer now had to find a way to tell her family she had joined the military.
"My family was surprisingly supportive of my decision to join the military and they were so excited for me," said Chief Belcer. "My grandmother was extremely proud of my decision and was probably my biggest supporter."
Chief Belcer entered basic training in November 1982, beginning a 25-year career in the personnel career field that would eventually lead to her becoming a chief master sergeant.
"The thought of becoming a chief master sergeant, let alone a senior noncommissioned officer never really crossed my mind," said Chief Belcer. "I initially intended on doing four years in the service, travel, finish my education and separate. I decided to stay in because I truly fell in love with what I was doing."
Chief Belcer said she has done so well because she's had good supervisors who persistently challenged her to do better and to work harder.
"The person who motivated me most was Chief Doris Brewster," said Chief Belcer. "She began mentoring me from day one and was big into education. She pushed me into getting my Community College of the Air Force degree."
Chief Brewster never let her settle for less and even though Chief Belcer performed exceptionally well, Chief Brewster pushed her to do even better. This is something that Chief Belcer said she continues to follow to this day.
"Work hard and the rest will come; everything starts with working hard," said Chief Belcer.
While serving as command chief, her goals are to work closely with the 437th Airlift Wing commander to help keep Team Charleston along the path of success and to continue to reach for bigger and better things.
In addition to the pride she has for being the command chief, her family and her faith also keep her motivated.
"My husband and my faith motivate me to be the best command chief this wing has ever seen," she said. "I feel blessed and fortunate to be the command chief master sergeant here at Team Charleston and I will not take my responsibilities lightly nor for granted."