UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - He is a husband of 13 years, father to three, an auto hobbyist and on April 1, he will be a part of only 1 percent of the enlisted force, a chief master sergeant.
Airmen and Soldiers gathered March 1 for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony, which honored Senior Master Sgt. Jay A. Banghart, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-10 Extender aircraft maintenance unit superintendent, for being selected to the rank of chief master sergeant.
His family was unable to attend his final promotion ceremony, during which he was recognized for achieving the highest rank in the enlisted force. Even so, organizers coordinated to ensure this event would be memorable for both the senior master sergeant and his family.
"I coordinated behind the scenes with his wife to make sure she was available at the time of the event since there is a 12-hour time difference," said Chief Master Sgt. James Yarber, 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron chief enlisted manager and one of the ceremony organizers. "I did my best to make his family part of the experience. His son was really moved by it."
Banghart's family was able to attend the ceremony via webcam and provided a pre-recorded video message for the newly selected chief.
"It made the ceremony feel very personal for my wife, kids and me," Banghart said. "They are the biggest reason I made chief and it was great to share that special moment with them."
Earning the highest enlisted rank in a career that spans 22 years is quite an accomplishment, but it did not come as a surprise to Jill Banghart, the senior master sergeant's wife.
"After Jay and I married, he explained the ranks to me several times and with a lot of patience," she said. "I knew right away he would make chief."
Jill Banghart described her husband as a dedicated mentor to his Airmen, but also a dedicated father to their children.
"He enjoys his children immensely and frequently takes them camping, fishing, on bike rides and hiking," she explained. "He also built a garden for them and he loves it when they tinker with him in the garage."
While Jay Banghart has been committed to excellence all his career, he did not make it to where he is without the help of others.
"I have had supervisors in my career who saw potential in me that I didn't see in myself," he said. "They brought my potential out and they are part of the reason I have been successful in the Air Force."
Jill Banghart stood beside her husband as he climbed the ranks of the enlisted force.
"I've watched him work so hard year after year to accomplish this goal," the proud wife said. "He has put in countless hours at work, studying and preparing for every test but never putting aside his role as a mentor, husband and father."
The soon-to-be chief has a tip for Airmen who think chief master sergeant is out of their reach.
"Know and acknowledge your shortcomings, but have a plan to overcome them," Jay Banghart said. "Don't sell yourself short."