Leaders emerge at 115 FW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrea F. Liechti
  • 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MADISON, Wis. --  Three members of the 115th Fighter Wing were recognized for their recent promotions to chief master sergeants during a ceremony in Hangar 406 here August 23.

Chief Master Sergeants Kevin Bluske, wing weapons manager, Jarrett Calhoun, aircraft maintenance superintendent, and Jessica Maple, human resources advisor, were the three to be recognized.

"It is the non-commissioned officers with the chiefs leading the way, who must have the intestinal fortitude to recommend what is right, not what is easy," Maple said. "As chiefs, we must and we will epitomize the finest qualities of a military leader. We will ensure the mission is complete to the best of our team's ability and the Airmen are developed and mentored as they are the most valuable resource for mission success."

The mentoring for Bluske began during his speech, when he advised Airmen to complete their military education and career development courses.

"People ask me how you become a chief," Bluske said. "I tell them you need a little luck, but most importantly, you must be prepared. If you say to yourself, 'I will be ready, reliable, relevant and respected,' you will be successful."

These three chiefs know what it takes to be successful. They headed down the ready, reliable, relevant and respected path early on in their careers.

"When I joined this organization over seventeen years ago the first thing I noticed was the phrase "dedicated to excellence" on the fighter wing patch," Calhoun said. "I soon realized that those words were more than a motto; they were a way of life. The pride and professionalism ran deep in this organization, and I wanted to be part of it."

Years later, Calhoun is still glad to be a part of the organization.

"The last seventeen years have been an amazing experience leading to this point," Calhoun said. "I look forward to the future and continuing the standard of excellence set by those before me. Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the fighter wing, I am honored to represent this organization as one of its chief master sergeants."

According to Air National Guard Instruction 38-202, only 2 percent of the ANG force can become a chief master sergeant.