Commander Recognized as 'Honorary Chief'

  • Published
  • By CMSgt Clifford D. Whitenburg
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  With anticipation reaching new heights, wing personnel anxiously filed into the base dining facility to hear the most recent relocation news from our commander, Col. Gary Beebe. As the process to move personnel and assets to MacDill AFB continues it has been wing leadership's goal to keep individuals informed of recent changes and decisions, especially those which will affect people in one way or another. 

The update was provided with questions and concerns being addressed and as commander's call reached its conclusion the final word had not yet been said. The command chief took charge at the podium. 

From time to time there are those individuals that, due to grade restrictions or other issues out of their control, perform in a manner far above their rank and status. Their actions, demeanor and contributions to the enlisted force are commensurate with what is expected of a Chief Master Sergeant. 

There are many ways in which individuals are recognized for their stellar performance and contributions. In extremely rare occasions, the Chief's group chooses to bestow the title of, "Honorary Chief Master Sergeant" upon an individual whose character, performance and care of the enlisted force reaches this high level. In even rarer cases this honor is bestowed upon officers. 

Such was the case Mar. 9, 2008, when Colonel Gary Beebe was feted with this honor from the 927th ARW chiefs. Other than Colonel Beebe, there has been only one other officer this honor has been bestowed upon by the chief's group and that being Maj. Gen. John Miller. 

The colonel remarked, "Being selected as an Honorary Chief has been the highlight of 33 years Air Force service. The first thought that came to mind was my dad. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 17, made it to the rank of Master Sergeant and then became a Chief Warrant Officer. He was killed in a helicopter accident when I was only 12. He was the first person to tell me how important it is to care for your troops." 

As indicated in my remarks at commander's call, this is not something done lightly or given freely. It was earned, earned by continuous selfless actions of the colonel on behalf of the enlisted force. Will there be others in the future of the 927th ARW? Maybe, but this latest honor will stand out as the last one to be granted at Selfridge. 

As someone once said, "Becoming an honorary Chief is one of the greatest honors they could ever receive because it is not a "goal" that you set....it can't be bought....you can't demand it....it must be freely given.