Team Edwards welcomes new staff sergeant selects with induction ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jerome Martin III
  • 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards' staff sergeant selects were inducted into the noncommissioned officer tier during the base's NCO induction ceremony Oct 12 at Club Muroc.

Fifty-three senior airmen participated in the event sponsored by the Middle Tier Association, first sergeants, Edwards Top 3, Air Force Sergeants Association and the Chiefs' Group.

"I enjoyed participating in the ceremony," said Senior Airman Adriana Campos, 95th Mission Support and Services Squadron command support staff journeyman. "I had fun spending time with my fellow inductees and learning a lot from them, their job and Air Force experience."

Airmen, from airman basic to staff sergeant, participated in a candle-lighting ceremony. During the ceremony, six candles were displayed with five candles representing the enlisted rank these senior airmen received. The final candle was a tribute to inspire the new leaders to "do something amazing," referring to the Air Force's recruiting commercials.

The ceremony also included a saber team performance by the Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard and reciting of the NCO Oath and NCO Charge.

"I appreciate the effort put into this event," Airman Campos said. "It turned out very well."

The initiative to have an induction ceremony started with Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief.

The senior airman to staff sergeant transition is the biggest in an enlisted Airman's career, he said. There should be a ceremony honoring the importance of this transition.

"Staff sergeants are where the rubber meets the road and are the heart of our Air Force," Chief Lewis said. "They are directly entrusted with taking care of our most precious resource -- the first-term Airmen."

The Air Force already has induction ceremonies for chiefs and senior NCOs, he said.

"Since we represent the enlisted force, we felt it's time to make a worthwhile induction for NCOs," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Jacona, 95th MSSS personnel readiness noncommissioned officer. "The ceremony must be a first-class event in an enlisted Airman's career."