Alumni Spotlight – CMSgt Jeff Wilson ‘83

Susquehannock graduate Jeff Wilson was recently promoted to Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 71^st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma.  This is the highest ranking enlisted position in the United States Air Force.

Jeff’s father, Jack Wilson, said that upon hearing about Jeff’s impressive accomplishments, “Those who knew and grew up with Jeff may very well say, ‘Are you serious?’ During those high school years, he would likely not have been regarded as Air Force Top Dog material.”  Jeff graduated from Susquehannock in 1983, and his career took off upon enlisting in the Air Force in 1992.

“I absolutely loved my time at Susquehannock and have some great memories.  The relationships that I built during that time were great, and growing up in Southern York County was awesome.  Through those years, I developed a work ethic and sense of service that has carried me through my career,” Jeff said.

He began as an Operations Resource Manager, 7^th Airlift Squadron at McChord AFB in Washington.  In 1995, he trained into the loadmaster career field.  He held a variety of positions over the years and became involved in the Air Mobility Command and Air Education and Training Command, where he implemented programs and conducted inspections.

Jeff continued his education while in the Air Force beginning in 1996 with Airman Leadership School.  This was the beginning of many additional degrees and courses, including an Associate’s Degree in Aircrew Operation in 2002, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management in 2008, and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Leadership in 2013.  In 2017, Jeff completed his Senior Enlisted Orientation Course at Maxwell AFB in Alabama.

Jeff’s assignments began in 1992 in his role of Operations Resource Manager, 7^th Airlift Squadron, at McChord Air Force Base, Washington.  Over the years, he served in different roles at bases across the United States, including Charleston AFB in South Carolina and Altus AFB in Oklahoma.  He was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in November 2013 while at Altus AFB.

Jeff earned many major awards and decorations during his years of service.  They are as follows:

• Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal

Some more of Jeff’s outstanding achievements include the 62^nd Operation Group Airman of the Year in 1995; the Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School in 1996; the Executive Manager of the Year, AFA, Low Country Chapter, SC, in 2010; and Distinguished Graduate, USAF Senior NCO Academy in 2010.

Jeff has three pieces of advice for all high school students.  “First, apply yourself.  If I could go back in time, I would apply myself more than I did and take advantage of the educational opportunities that were afforded to me.  Second, life is all about having options.  As teenagers and young adults, we make decisions that can affect our future options.  If you make the wrong decisions, it can take those options off the table.  Last, have fun and enjoy the people around you.  I have been positioned in some of the worst places in the world, and I have had an absolute blast because of the men and women I was with and the missions which we were asked to complete,” Jeff said.

Thank you to CMSgt Jeffrey Wilson for making us Warrior Proud!