Sergeant inducted into top enlisted rank Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- A Team Vance senior master sergeant has recently joined the elite group of top enlisted-ranked Airmen. Senior Master Sgt. Don Sibble, 71st Mission Support Squadron, was inducted into the rank of chief master sergeant in a Chief's Induction Ceremony Saturday at the Vance Club. This ceremony recognized Sergeant Sibble as part of the 1 percent of the enlisted force allowed to be an E-9. "Senior Master Sgt. Sibble is an outstanding example of what a chief should be, as he reflects the total-person concept," said Interim Command Chief Master Sgt. Loura Lopez, 71st Flying Training Wing. "He has breadth and depth of experience, a long record of outstanding technical and managerial accomplishments, and he has demonstrated superb leadership at all levels." The ceremony explained a chief's roles and responsibilities and welcomed Sergeant Sibble into the rank. There was also a candle ceremony during the induction in which a member of Team Vance, representing each enlisted rank from airman basic to chief, lit a specific candle that represented those steps to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. "This recognition makes me realize that as a chief I still have a lot to learn, it will just be different now," Sergeant Sibble said. "Listening to (guest speaker) Chief Master Sgt. Timmothy Dickens, the 19th Air Force command chief, I realized chiefs are mentored by other chiefs in how they are all perceived. I will be looked to have answers I may not have, but I must get them because if the chief doesn't have them, who does? "The candle ceremony was one of the most important parts of the whole evening, because it allowed me to reflect on the influence my subordinates, supervisors and commanders have had on me, especially my subordinates who helped me make this rank. Airmen don't realize just how much of an impact they have on their supervisors' careers." Sergeant Sibble then thanked Team Vance for the ceremony. "This was the first ceremony my mother has ever been to, and people who have never been to a Chief's Induction told me how great it was," he said. "The Chief's Group put on an awesome ceremony. I also re-enlisted for the final time, and my supervisor, Maj. (Devin) Washington, re-enlisted me, adding a nice touch. Of course the biggest part was having my mother there (from Titusville, Pa). She was speechless." Another part of a chief's induction includes the "Chief's Jeep," traditionally passed on at the Airman's promotion ceremony. Sergeant Sibble has orders to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and may be there when he sews the stripe on. "Rest assured that if Sergeant Sibble is still on Vance AFB when he sews chief master sergeant on, the Vance Chief's Group will present him with the jeep at his promotion ceremony, even if he only carries it for a short time," Chief Lopez said. All personnel assigned to Team Vance can then ensure the jeep is continually secured; if not, Sergeant Sibble will be required to provide various services to enlisted troops to regain possession of the jeep.