CMSgt Jerry Shelton, Jr., U.S. Air Force (1983-2013)

Boots on the Ground

Promotion to the Air Force’s highest enlisted rank, Chief Master Sergeant (one percent of the Air Force enlisted structure), certainly tops my list of professional achievements. But it was not the promotion itself that stands out as my most memorable military moment…well, not exactly. Let me explain.

In May 2009, my Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) flight and I reported for duty at Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, headquartered at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where our EOD flight was under operational control. Supporting the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division throughout Wardak and Logar Province, our 16 EOD teams resolved 476 improvised explosive device incidents and 103 weapons cache operations, effectively removing over 21,280 pounds of explosives from the battlefield.

As the senior enlisted leader, I regularly circulated the battlespace to meet with leadership at our supported units and take part in operations outside the wire with team members. Not wanting to be a “battlefield tourist,” I made myself useful during these visits, up-gunning in the turret on operations, building explosive countercharges, and attending to the robots, equipment, and radios.

When one team member was sent back stateside for an emergency, I took his place at Combat Outpost Sayed Abad until we could get a replacement sent up from the rear. As room in the EOD hooch was tight, I stowed my gear (and myself) inside the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) EOD vehicle for the night.

Moving the robot and gear aside, I rolled my foam mat and sleeping bag out on the MRAP floor, snapped my rifle into its gun mount, and secured the hatches. I opened the escape hatch in the roof at the rear of the MRAP to take in the starry night sky and let in fresh air. For being summer, the desert nights were pleasantly cool.

Staring up at a breathtaking view of the heavens, unspoiled by the “noise” of bright city lights, I reflected on the day’s operations and the demanding work still ahead. Before drifting off to sleep, I noted the date was July 31^st, thinking, “Tomorrow I ‘sew on’ Chief…” which brings me to my memorable moment.

Waking up on the morning of August 1^st, I stepped out of my “armored camper” onto the battlefield as the Air Force’s newest EOD Chief. I reached into my breast pocket for my new aircrew-style name patch and unceremoniously affixed it to my uniform. Smiling broadly, I looked out across the sleepy outpost, taking in the stillness of the morning with deep gratitude for being part of something bigger than myself.

This memorable moment I have instilled in me a sense of perspective and purpose that would define the rest of my military career. Having a “boots on the ground” leadership mindset guided my decision-making in my follow-on role as EOD Command Functional manager at Headquarters, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), supporting America’s national aims for United States Central Command’s area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.