188th Medical Group promotes Gonzales to chief master sergeant

Photo By Airman 1st Class Cody Martin | Chief Master Sgt. Juan Gonzales has his stripes put on by his son and sister during his promotion ceremony at the Colonel Hugh B. Correll Headquarters Facility auditorium at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark., Oct. 5, 2014. Gonzales is the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 188th Medical Group. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Martin/released)  

FORT SMITH, AR, UNITED STATES

10.20.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson 

188th Wing

FORT SMITH, Ark. - The 188th Medical Group honored Juan Gonzales with a promotion ceremony in which he was elevated to the rank of chief master sergeant at the 188th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Oct. 5, 2014. The ceremony was held in the 188th's Colonel Hugh B. Correll Headquarters Facility in front of a packed auditorium. Chief Master Sgt. Stephen R. Bradley, 188th command chief master sergeant, read the Chief's Creed and Maj. Bridgette Scott, 188th medical administrative officer, narrated the ceremony.

"Chief Gonzales has been a wonderful addition to the med group," Scott said. "His analytical approach allows us to manage our programs better. He designed our tracking database, which has been recognized at the National Guard Bureau level. He is able to reach back from his past experiences in the Reserve and apply them to the Guard. He's a team player and absolutely deserving of this opportunity."

Before joining the 188th in February 2013, Gonzales, 188th Medical Group superintendent, graduated Basic Military Training in April 1997 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and completed Aeromedical Apprentice Specialist training at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, in July 1997. He has served in various positions in the Aerospace Medical Service career field and major command levels.

"Chief Gonzales is an exceptional senior noncommissioned officer and a true asset to this wing," said Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Wing commander. "He has exhibited outstanding leadership while surmounting some very challenging circumstances during our mission conversion and was instrumental in the 188th conquering many of those hurdles. We're proud that he has chosen to be a part of the Flying Razorback family and we're honored to promote him to the rank of chief master sergeant. He's certainly earned it."

During his 16 years of active duty service Gonzales received numerous accolades to include Headquarters Air Force Academy Outstanding Aeromedical Airman of the Year in 2001; advance team member Air Force Medical Operations Agency in 2002; advance team member Air Force Medical Operations Agency Medical Continuation in 2008; and advance team member Air Force Personnel Center Air Reserve Component Case Management Division in 2012.

He has also worked to set the tone for his Airmen by making education a priority. He earned an associate's degree in biological science and a bachelor's degree in dental laboratory sciences.

"I feel blessed and fortunate to have worked with great leadership, peers and followers throughout my career," Gonzales said. "I'm humbled for the opportunity to serve as a chief master sergeant in such a superb wing with unbelievable Airmen. I will continue to hold myself to the highest standards of the Air Force core values, and I look forward to many more years with the Flying Razorbacks."

• Date Taken: 10.20.2014
• Date Posted: 10.31.2014 11:34
• Story ID: 146690
• Location: FORT SMITH, AR, US