Tradition continued, SMSgt selectees congratulated with home invasion

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --  For those chosen to enter today's Air Force the privilege of promotion is a rite of passage they will experience at some point in their careers. For enlisted ranks, advancing to the top of the senior non-commissioned officer tier is a significant and personally demanding accomplishment that takes hard work and dedication. Occasionally, it is rewarded with seeing your name on the promotion list.

Recently, some Creech Airmen, and their families who equally endure the trials, were congratulated in a very personal way.

Continuing a very unique Creech tradition, leadership from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing pilled in their cars and set out on the road to congratulate the Wing's newest senior master sergeant selectees.

"Going to people's homes and congratulating them personally, surrounded by their families, is just a small way we can show our appreciation and congratulate them for their hard work.  Such a small percentage of Airmen are selected for the honor of becoming a senior master sergeant, and that accomplishment deserves special recognition," said Col. James Cluff, 432nd Wing/432nd AEW commander.

First sergeants, squadron commanders and chiefs were among the first to congratulate a few of Creech's nine selectees which included members from the 432nd Wing and the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron.

For one selectee, the visit from so many caring and familiar faces made the unforgettable experience one he had forwarded to others during his tours as a first sergeant but one he hadn't expected for himself.

"I was surprised when the leadership corralled and notified me at the deployed spouses dinner," said Master Sgt. Guenther Bogensperger, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "As a first shirt I always went along to notify master sergeant selects at their home, but I didn't expect the personal touch myself. To me, it shows [our leadership] cares - they put in the extra effort, as opposed to just the obligatory phone call."

Another selectee, Master Sgt. Laquai Knoble, 432nd Operations Support Squadron first shirt, shared Bogensperger's admiration to Creech leadership's personal touch.

"Seeing Col. Cluff dancing in my kitchen while my daughter was singing was so memorable. Then turning the corner and seeing the other 20 people standing in my living room, it was cool," said Knoble. "Although I didn't think I would like that ... I did. It was overwhelming, but exciting to be recognized in such a personal way."

Both Knoble and Bogensperger were truly taken back by the leadership's effort to afford them the same opportunity that they try so hard to afford to other Airmen.
"I was so surprised. No one told me anything," joked Knoble. "Things like this show that leadership cares and will go the extra mile."

"Recognizing our promotees selects at home has become a valued tradition at Team Creech.  We do this in order to show not only the Airmen, but also their families, how proud we are of their accomplishments.  It also gives us an opportunity to personally thank the families for all of the sacrifices they make for their Airman and for the Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. Butch Brien, 432nd command chief.