Another stripe another chapter

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  Family, friends, wing leadership and distinguished guests gathered to honor seventeen 120th Airlift Wing Vigilante's new non-commissioned officers and six senior non-commissioned officers who were inducted June 4 in the Larsen Room here.

The NCO and SNCO induction ceremonies celebrate individuals that earn the staff sergeant stripe and master sergeant stripe. 

Command Chief Master Sgt. Steven Lynch, wing command chief, was the first to congratulate the newest inductees and presented each with a certificate to recognize their accomplishment.

As an Airmen is promoted from Airman to the NCO core, the newest staff sergeants can expect increased responsibilities with the new rank as read to them in the NCO charge.

When asked what kind of supervisor he would be Staff Sgt. Blake Gerke, financial management apprentice, said "I want to encourage Airmen to take advantage of college, get involved in the local community by volunteering and go after their goals, just as my previous supervisors have aided me to do."

Senior Master Sgt. Bill Shirley, superintendent of inspections, inducted the newest SNCOs, now members of an elite group called the Top Three.

The 120th AW is honored to have the excitement and motivation of 23 newly promoted Vigilantes to take the wing into the next chapter.