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145th CES Airman promoted to highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
  • 145th Public Affairs
CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  Attaining the rank of chief master sergeant is the pinnacle of an enlisted Airman's career. It takes a leader, a mentor, hard work and dedication to be selected for this position.

Senior Master Sgt. Randall L. Jones epitomizes all of these qualities and more, so on Nov. 7, 2015, a promotion ceremony was held in his honor at the North Carolina Air National Guard Base, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

As part of the promotion ceremony, commanders, current and retired Airmen and family members were given the privilege of participating in the longstanding Air Force tradition of "tacking on" chief chevrons onto Jones' uniform.

"Everything I have achieved since I have been in the Air Force - my rank, my degrees, my medals and ribbons - came with the help of others. Everyone in this room has contributed to my success," Chief Jones humbly stated. 

Among the many honored guests was N.C. Senator Kathy Harrington.

"It was an honor to attend this ceremony for Chief Master Sergeant Jones. He is a friend, and I am excited to see him achieve this lofty and well deserved promotion," said Harrington.

Also among the honored guests was Mr. Richie Yow, S.C. House Representative.

"Chief Jones' dedication to the Airmen has no boundaries. Chief Jones will be a Chief who remembers the struggles and praises the triumphs," said Yow, who also retired from the NCANG in 2014 after serving 20 years in the Air Force.

Chief Jones was born in Taylorsville, North Carolina. After graduating from Alexander Central High School, Jones enlisted in the United States Air Force and headed to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas where he completed Basic Military Training and received the BMT Honor Graduate Award for excellent performance. Jones continued his training as a Security Police Specialist at Lackland AFB achieving the Academic Award for being in the top 10% of graduates.

In 1986 Chief Jones was selected to serve as an esteemed member of the USAF Honor Guard at Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. He served as the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Honor Guard armory and was an active member in ceremonies at The White House and Arlington National Cemetery. He served at the Pentagon as a Sentry for then Secretary Of Defense, Casper Weinberger.

Upon completing his active duty tour in 1990, Jones joined the North Carolina Air National Guard as a member of the 145th Civil Engineer Squadron. Because of his dedication to the mission and Airmen who served with him, Jones was selected to be the First Sergeant of the 145th CES where he advised the commander on enlisted issues, including the morale and welfare of 120 personnel for three years. Chief Jones is currently the Superintendent of the Heavy Equipment section.

When asked how he felt regarding his future serving as a Chief in the NCANG, Jones humbly replied "One of the original members of the Band Of Brothers said his grandson once asked him if he was a Hero, and he replied no son, but I have served with some."

"That is the way I feel. I have served with many heroes during my 30 years, and I am thankful for every one of them," said Jones.