Eric W. Benken
Encyclopedia
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Eric W. Benken (born August 20, 1951) was the twelfth Chief Master Sergeant
appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer (NCO) position in the United States Air Force
.
, and entered the Air Force in March 1970. His background was in information management. He served in operational, maintenance and support units at every level of command from squadron through Major Command (MAJCOM). Chief Benken served in Taiwan
, Korea
, and South Vietnam
, and in a joint service (NATO) assignment at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
(SHAPE). He served as Senior Enlisted Advisor
to 12th Air Force and United States Air Forces in Europe
(USAFE). While at USAFE, the command was involved in operations such as Provide Promise, Provide Comfort, Deliberate Force, and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
Of interesting note, when Chief Benken entered the Air Force the Chief of Staff was General John D. Ryan. While serving as the CMSAF, he was the advisor to his son, General Michael E. Ryan. As CMSAF, Chief Benken's many initiatives included the development of the Command Chief Master Sergeant title (previously Senior Enlisted Advisor) and creation of a distinctive insignia; the implementation of Warrior Week at Basic Military Training; the successful fight against congressional efforts to interfere with gender integrated training at Basic Military Training; fought for repeal of the 1986 40% retirement and creation of the NCO Professional Development Seminar. During his tenure as CMSAF, the Air Force continued the Bosnian peacekeeping mission, Operations Northern and Southern Watch in Iraq, Operation Desert Fox (Iraq) and Operation Allied Force in Kosovo.
The Chief continues to travel at the invitation of the Air Force while employed at USAA in San Antonio, Tx.
CMSAF Benken served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from November 1996 to July 1999.
1986 Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
1989 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter AFB, Ala.
1994 Associate degree in applied science, information management, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1970 - April 1970, basic trainee, basic military training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. May 1970 - December 1970, administrative specialist, 2578th Supply Squadron, Ellington AFB, Texas
3. January 1971 - March 1972, administrative specialist, maintenance training section and maintenance quality control, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan. Also assigned temporarily to Detachment 1, 834th Air Division, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
4. April 1972 - September 1978, chief clerk, 67th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron and noncommissioned officer in charge, Director of Operations Administration, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
5. October 1978 - October 1979, executive noncommissioned officer to the commander, 314th Air Division, Osan Air Base, Korea
6. November 1979 - August 1983, NCOIC, Deputy Commander for Resources Administration and NCOIC, 12th Air Force Command Section, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
7. September 1983 - December 1988, Chief, Administration Communications Division and NCOIC, Deputy Chief of Staff for Aircrew Training Devices Administration, USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. January 1989 - July 1993, Superintendent, Manpower and Document Control Division, Office of the U. S. National Military Representative, and administrative officer, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Logistics Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium
9. August 1993 - September 1994, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Commander, 12th Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
10. October 1994 - October 1996, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Commander, U. S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
11. November 1996 - July 1999, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force - November 5, 1996
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests,...
Eric W. Benken (born August 20, 1951) was the twelfth Chief Master Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the...
appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer (NCO) position in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Biography
Chief Benken was born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, and entered the Air Force in March 1970. His background was in information management. He served in operational, maintenance and support units at every level of command from squadron through Major Command (MAJCOM). Chief Benken served in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, and South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, and in a joint service (NATO) assignment at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
(SHAPE). He served as Senior Enlisted Advisor
Senior Enlisted Advisor
A Senior Enlisted Advisor in the United States armed forces is the most senior enlisted service member in a unit, and acts as an advisor to the commanding officer. Most units will have a formal billet for the senior enlisted advisor, from a platoon's platoon sergeant to the Senior Enlisted Advisor...
to 12th Air Force and United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
(USAFE). While at USAFE, the command was involved in operations such as Provide Promise, Provide Comfort, Deliberate Force, and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
Of interesting note, when Chief Benken entered the Air Force the Chief of Staff was General John D. Ryan. While serving as the CMSAF, he was the advisor to his son, General Michael E. Ryan. As CMSAF, Chief Benken's many initiatives included the development of the Command Chief Master Sergeant title (previously Senior Enlisted Advisor) and creation of a distinctive insignia; the implementation of Warrior Week at Basic Military Training; the successful fight against congressional efforts to interfere with gender integrated training at Basic Military Training; fought for repeal of the 1986 40% retirement and creation of the NCO Professional Development Seminar. During his tenure as CMSAF, the Air Force continued the Bosnian peacekeeping mission, Operations Northern and Southern Watch in Iraq, Operation Desert Fox (Iraq) and Operation Allied Force in Kosovo.
The Chief continues to travel at the invitation of the Air Force while employed at USAA in San Antonio, Tx.
CMSAF Benken served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from November 1996 to July 1999.
Education
1977 Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas1986 Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
1989 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter AFB, Ala.
1994 Associate degree in applied science, information management, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1970 - April 1970, basic trainee, basic military training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. May 1970 - December 1970, administrative specialist, 2578th Supply Squadron, Ellington AFB, Texas
3. January 1971 - March 1972, administrative specialist, maintenance training section and maintenance quality control, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan. Also assigned temporarily to Detachment 1, 834th Air Division, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
4. April 1972 - September 1978, chief clerk, 67th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron and noncommissioned officer in charge, Director of Operations Administration, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
5. October 1978 - October 1979, executive noncommissioned officer to the commander, 314th Air Division, Osan Air Base, Korea
6. November 1979 - August 1983, NCOIC, Deputy Commander for Resources Administration and NCOIC, 12th Air Force Command Section, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
7. September 1983 - December 1988, Chief, Administration Communications Division and NCOIC, Deputy Chief of Staff for Aircrew Training Devices Administration, USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. January 1989 - July 1993, Superintendent, Manpower and Document Control Division, Office of the U. S. National Military Representative, and administrative officer, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Logistics Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium
9. August 1993 - September 1994, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Commander, 12th Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
10. October 1994 - October 1996, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Commander, U. S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
11. November 1996 - July 1999, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Major awards and decorations
 |
Information Management Badge |
| Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force... |
|
| Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
|
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense... |
|
| Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... |
|
| Air Force Commendation Medal | |
| Joint Service Achievement Medal Achievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
|
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
|
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Outstanding Unit Award The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954. The award is presented as a ribbon to any command of the U.S... |
|
| Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Organizational Excellence Award The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award is an award of the United States Air Force and is the lowest ranking unit award. The award was first created in 1969 and is presented to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations... |
|
| Air Force Good Conduct Medal | |
| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
|
| Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... |
|
| Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon | |
| Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon | |
| Air Force Longevity Service Award Air Force Longevity Service Award The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff... |
|
| NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon A Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon is an award issued by the United States Army and Air Force to recognize those non-commissioned officers who have completed a prescribed leadership course at an NCO training school.-Army:... |
|
| Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Marksmanship Ribbon A Marksmanship Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard that is issued to service members who pass a weapons qualification course and achieve an above-average score.-Navy:... |
|
| Air Force Training Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon The Air Force Training Ribbon is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.The Air Force Training Ribbon was authorized by the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force on October 12, 1980. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion... |
|
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award | |
| Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
|
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force - November 5, 1996