Chief Master Sgt. Joleen Zapata is the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Vance Medical Group, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. She serves as the primary advisor to the Medical Group Commander on all matters affecting the functional and operational utilization of 135 officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel across two squadrons. As the Chief Medical Enlisted Manager for the Vance Military Treatment Facility, she is responsible for the manning, readiness, training, morale, and welfare of the total force, as well as communicating strategic direction and serving as a principal advisor for three facility Commanders, two Wings, and the Defense Health Agency.
Chief Zapata directs effective administration of a $6.7 million budget in support of patient-centered services to the 71st Flying Training Wing, the Undergraduate Pilot Training students, and 3,900 community beneficiaries.
Chief Zapata entered the Air Force in January 2001 and graduated from the Aerospace Ground Equipment Technical Training course in August 2001 and the Diagnostic Imaging Technical Training course in June 2013. Throughout her 25-year career, she has performed many diverse leadership roles within the Aerospace Ground Equipment, First Term Airmen Center, Radiology and Career Assistance Advisor career fields. In 2002 and 2003, she deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM, providing maintenance support to joint forces to facilitate the airspace control and invasion of Iraq. Prior to her current position, Chief Zapata was the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 10th Surgical Operations Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.
EDUCATION
2006 Airman Leadership School, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
2008 Associate of Applied Science, Aerospace Ground Equipment, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2014 Associate of Applied Science, Radiology, Community College of the Air Force
2015 American Registry of Radiologic Technologists National Certification
2016 Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Joint-Base McGuire Dix
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II
2021 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2024 Leader Development Course for Squadron Command, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2026 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2026 Bachelor, Health Care Administration, Saint Leo University, Florida
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2001 – February 2001, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. February 2001 - August 2001, Student, Aerospace Ground Equipment Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
3. August 2001 – November 2007, Aerospace Ground Equipment Journeyman, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
4. November 2007 – March 2011, Aerospace Ground Equipment Craftsman, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
5. April 2011 – April 2012, NCOIC, First Term Airman Center, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
6. April 2012 – September 2012, Student, Diagnostic Imaging Course Phase I, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
7. September 2012 – June 2013, Student, Diagnostic Imaging Course Phase II, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
8. July 2013 - October 2015, NCOIC, Diagnostic Imaging and Mammography, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
9. October 2015 – June 2018, Flight Chief, Diagnostic Imaging, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
10. June 2018 – March 2019, Superintendent, Surgical Operations Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
11. March 2019 – December 2021, Career Assistance Advisor, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
12. January 2022 – January 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, Diagnostic Imaging & USAFA 4R Functional Manager, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
13. February 2024 – July 2026, Senior Enlisted Leader, 10th Surgical Operations Squadron & USAFA 4R Functional Manager, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
14. July 2026 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Vance Medical Group, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 Top Graduate and Distinguished Graduate, Diagnostic Imaging Phase I and Phase II Technical Training, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
2014 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2019 Special Duty Senior NCO of the Year, USAF Warfare Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
2020 Senior NCO of the Year, Force Support Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
2023 Senor NCO of the 2nd Quarter, 10th Air Base Wing, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2023 Senior NCO of the Year, 10th Air Base Wing, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2024 DRU AFMS Leadership Senior NCO of the Year, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Jan. 3, 2001
Senior Airman Nov. 3, 2002
Staff Sergeant Jan. 1, 2005
Technical Sergeant Feb. 1, 2011
Master Sergeant Dec. 1, 2015
Senior Master Sergeant June 1, 2021
Chief Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2026
(Current as of August 2026)