In a ceremony at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, in Cheyenne, more than 60 airmen received their degree and celebrated earning their non-commissioned officer ranks May 6.
During the ceremony, leadership of the 153rd Airlift Wing celebrated the airmen’s promotion to either staff or master sergeant.
“It’s not an easy process to be selected to be a master sergeant or senior master sergeant. We go through a particular vetting process that is done deliberately and by design,” said Col. Paul Lyman, commander of the 153rd. “The reason we do that is because these are first and second line leaders for our organization. You are now responsible for our most valuable resource and that resource is our airmen.”
Airmen must complete a number of tasks before they are able to earn these ranks. They must complete an Air Force mandated series of professional military education and meet a board of higher-ranking members before they are deemed fit to be a NCO or a senior NCO.
In the same ceremony, the 153rd recognized airmen who earned a Community College of the Air Force degree in a number of different fields. Some of the unit’s oldest and youngest members were presented with their diplomas.
The Air Force awards the degrees, typically related to their career field, to enlisted airmen who successfully pass a number of required classes to earn it.