Wolf Pack gets six new CMSgt selects

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  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR FORCE BASE, Republic of Korea --  Six Wolf Pack members received an early Christmas gift when Air Force officials announced the chief master sergeant promotion selections Nov. 18.

They are Senior Master Sgts. Christine Daniels, 8th Comptroller Squadron; Marcus Marsh, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Michael Murdock, 8th Operations Support Squadron; Brian Pollreis, 8th Maintenance Squadron; Gerald Roy, 8th AMXS; and Troy Blackburn, 8th Security Forces Squadron.

"Being selected as a chief master sergeant in the Air Force is a feeling I can't easily describe ... almost surreal," Sergeant Murdock said. "As a young Airman, I was lucky enough to have senior NCOs that took an active interest in my career path. As a young staff sergeant at Osan AB, I had a chief master sergeant (now retired Chief Master Sgt. Elliot Sanders) sit down and tell me that not only should I strive to be the best air traffic controller, but I should strive to be the best NCO I could be as well. Being promoted to chief, I can now continue to take care of the Airmen, that take care of the mission, that make our Air Force the greatest professional fighting force in the world."

Air Force officials selected 504 of 2,287 eligible senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant, for a selection rate of 22.04 percent.

"I am thrilled because this lets me stay in the Air Force longer," said Sergeant Pollreis. "I was approaching high-year tenure, so this allows me to stay in another four years. I was definitely hoping to be able to stay in the Air Force; if there was a way to stay past 30 years, I would do it. Now I'm just waiting to see what happens next!"

The average score for those selected was 661.37, with an average time in grade of 3.33 years and time in service of 23.30 years, respectively. The average score was based on the following point averages: 135 for enlisted performance reports, 24.49 for decorations, 70.24 for the Air Force supervisory exam and 381.46 board score.

"It is kind of hard to put into words the feeling when finding out that you have made the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force," said Sergeant Marsh. "It makes me think of one of my first supervisors who told me when I was a young airman first class that I would never make it in the Air Force. Some 20 odd years later, I have been selected for the highest enlisted grade in the same Air Force I would never make it in. I can honestly say that this is a feeling that keeps getting better the more it resonates in my mind. It also makes me feel good that the people I work with think that I have earned this promotion."

Being selected for this next rank is truly an accomplishment for these Airmen, as only the top one percent of the enlisted force makes it to this level.

"Our new selects stand on the shoulders of giants before them," said Chief Master Sgt. James Sanders, 8th Fighter Wing command chief. "All chiefs know they didn't get here alone. We had great supervisors, outstanding subordinates, trusted friends, supporting commanders, and families who were willing to sacrifice on our behalf. Our new selects need to take pride in their accomplishments, but use their new stripe wisely. Being a chief is all about taking care of our Airmen by being a teacher and mentor to them, and to make a difference in people's lives."

Those selected for chief master sergeant will be promoted according to their promotion sequence number beginning January 2011.