501st CSW's newest chiefs honored at RAF Lakenheath ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  Three members of the 501st Combat Support Wing were among 13 chief master sergeants or chief master sergeant selects honored during a Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony at RAF Lakenheath's Eagles' Landing March 9.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, was the guest speaker of the evening, which recognized two 501st CSW members in attendance - Chief Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 423rd Communications Squadron superintendent, and Senior Master Sgt. Gene Eastman, 501st CSW Regional Contracting Office chief. Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Walker, 423rd Security Forces Squadron, was also recognized however, he couldn't attend because he is currently deployed.

For Brown and Eastman, listening to the retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force was one moment they will not forget.

"I am humbled and honored," said Brown. "If you speak to any chief, they will say reaching the rank of chief master sergeant isn't a destination. Rather it's simply the beginning of a fantastic opportunity to accomplish great things for great people. Listening to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gaylor share his challenges and successes strengthened my belief that if our people try to do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time, whatever it is, they will usually be successful."

"The fact that retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, our fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, was there to share that moment with me and my fellow inductees was just icing on the cake," said Eastman. "He's an exceptional chief, leader and individual who continues serving as a role model and someone we should all try to emulate."

While the ceremony continued throughout the night, the realization of the responsibilities that come along with the rank of chief master sergeant began sinking in to those honored.

"Watching our junior enlisted Airmen, NCOs, and senior NCOs, to include the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, light each candle while the narrator's described the purpose of each rank, gave me chills," said Brown. "Chiefs have always had an awesome responsibility to serve our Airmen, and now that responsibility is no-kidding mine."

"The thought of me being a chief was surreal and it didn't really sink in until going through the ceremony," said Eastman. "I can't believe it - I'm a chief (or soon will be)!"

While Eastman was soaking up the thought of being a chief, he had other things happening that made the night more special.

"The one thing I will always remember is sharing this experience with my oldest son Alex, and the fact my wife could not attend because she just gave birth to our newest son, Nicholas, the day before," said Eastman. "It was an extremely proud moment for me to walk through the sabre cordon with Alex. Not only was I experiencing this moment with my son (his first official Air Force event), but also because I was a new father all over again. I could see Alex was very excited, but also very proud of his 'dad' as he realized what a special occasion this was. After the ceremony, he asked me if we could take a picture with retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gaylor - and that's exactly what we did!"

The rank of chief master sergeant represents the top one percent of the enlisted force.