Senior Master Sergeant

Senior Noncommissioned Officers: This tier preserves our legacy and heritage by focusing on leading teams and shaping the future force. The ranks consist of Master Sergeant (MSgt), Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), and Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt). As Senior Noncommissioned Officers progress in this tier, they actively integrate subordinates’ talents, skills, and abilities with other teams to effectively accomplish the mission. Additionally, they seek joint and interagency professional development opportunities to build partnership capacity. Senior Noncommissioned Officers should be highly proficient at the Airman Leadership Qualities and have a comprehensive knowledge of the foundational competencies operating at the advanced and expert levels. All Senior Noncommissioned Officers mentor their subordinates and peers through continual education, training, and experience to develop ready and disciplined teams.  They also play a unique and critical role in developing and advising officers to lead teams successfully.  

Senior Master Sergeant. Experienced operational leaders that continue to develop their leadership and management skills. They strive to learn the art of strategic leadership and earn the 9-skill level.  

Senior NCO Responsibilities: (The Brown Book, page 17):   

■ Developing Self
■ Developing Others
■ Developing Ideas
■ Developing Organizations

Develop Leadership and Supervisory Skills
■ Superintendent, Flight Chief, Section Chief (if opportunity exists)
■ Consider Stat Tour, ADOS Tour, Deployment, HRA
■ Volunteer to teach the curriculum at First Line Supervisor’s Course
■ Rate, Supervise, and mentor two or more Airman
■ Volunteer for Additional Duties to learn new skills
■ Board President for mock board
■ Guide your Airmen through and support their Individual Development Plan|
■ Volunteer to be Panel Member for NGB Hiring Board
■ Consider applying to be Administrator for Enlisted Field Advisory Council (EFAC), CMSgt Orientation Course (CMSOC), or Command CMSgt Training Course (CMSTC)
■ Create an Official Air Force Biography

Promote Organizational Culture:
■ Active Participation in the squadron, group, wing, and community (morale committee, booster club, Top III, etc.)
■ Professional Organizations: AF Sergeants Association (AFSA), EANGUS, etc.
■ Professionalism, Attitude, Work Ethic, Camaraderie
■ Volunteer for Additional Duties to learn new skills

Development Path

  • Pursue higher-level education (Bachelor’s degree or above)
  • Apply for NGB Enlisted Development Opportunities (MVA 999) – Sister Service Senior NCO Academy, Reserve Component National Security Course (RCNSC)
  • Request 360 degree & supervisor feedback through myVector (via AF Portal)
  • Improve your strategic IQ by reviewing files such as; National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Air Force Action Orders on the Strategic Documents Page.
  • Complete EJPME II
  • Complete Defense Support of Civil Agencies (DSCA) Phase I
  • Complete FEMA courses
  • Attend ANG Contemporary Base Issues (CBI) Course
  • Attend ANG SNCO Enhancement Course

MSNG Leadership, History & Education Services

Air Force Mission

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace.

To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision:

The United States Air Force will be a trusted and reliable joint partner with our sister services known for integrity in all of our activities, including supporting the joint mission first and foremost. We will provide compelling air, space, and cyber capabilities for use by the combatant commanders. We will excel as stewards of all Air Force resources in service to the American people, while providing precise and reliable Global Vigilance, Reach and Power for the nation.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible:

Air and Space Superiority: With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.

Global Attack: Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.

Rapid Global Mobility: Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.

Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.

Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.

Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Dept. of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force is headquartered in the Pentagon, Washington D.C. The service is organized in nine major commands throughout the world which provide combat aircraft, airlift, refueling, reconnaissance and other support to the Unified Combatant Commands.

The Air Force also has more than three dozen field operating agencies and direct reporting units which directly support the mission by providing unique services.

Together with Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces, the United States Air Force is the best in the world.

The Secretary of the Air Force is Deborah Lee James, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Vice Chief of Staff is Gen.Stephen W. Wilson, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is CMSAF James A. Cody.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations.

These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible: 

--Air and Space Superiority: With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space 
--Global Attack: technological advances enable the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime and do so quickly and with great precision 
--Rapid Global Mobility: respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility. 
--Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial. 
--Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future      contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage. 
--Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to    all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces. 

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- 

SERVICE BEFORE SELF - INTEGRITY FIRST- EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO!