Vance honors newest senior NCOs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James Bolinger
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 71st Flying Training Wing recognized its newest master sergeants during a Senior NCO Induction luncheon at the Vance Collocated Club Oct. 13.

Six Airmen were honored during the event, which featured Chief Master Sgt. Frederick Soechting as the guest speaker. Soechting is the Air Force Enlisted Command and Control Assignment chief at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

"Attention to detail, team work and discipline," said Soechting during his speech. "These are the foundations of the curriculum Airmen are taught in basic training. It's also the curriculum of your careers.

"Everything you need to be successful in the Air Force ... you were taught in basic training," said Soechting, sharing what he learned from his basic training instructor with the new master sergeants.

Senior NCOs recognized at the luncheon were:

Tech. Sgt. Richard W. Dodson Jr., the 71st Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of Future Operations and a Lexington, Mo., native.

Master Sgt. Joseph R. Henson, the 71st Communications Squadron NCO in charge of Quality Assurance and a Hillsboro, Ky., native.

Master Sgt. Charles Laws, the 71st Flying Training Wing aircraft maintenance quality assurance evaluator and a Syracuse, N.Y., native.

Master Sgt. Charity D. Phillips, the 71st Medical Operations Squadron, Dental Flight NCO in charge and a Greenville, S.C., native.

Master Sgt. Carinae D. Samsel, the 71st Security Force Squadron logistics and supply superintendant, and a Lompoc, Calif., native.

Master Sgt. Bobbie White, the 71st Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section superintendent and a Smithfield, Ohio, native.

"It's been one of my goals to make master (sergeant)," said Laws, who started his career 16 years ago as an F-16 mechanic.

"Get to know what you do," said Laws in an interview about what he thinks it takes to make master sergeant. "Don't lose focus on your AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) - that's the reason you're in. A lot of people say, concentrate on the extracurricular, but it's important to be recognized and respected for (your job)."

Col. Russ Mack, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, presented each inductee with a framed certificate before all the Airmen in the room recited the Airman's Creed and sang the Air Force song.