Wing commander inducted as honorary chief

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Col. Michael S. Stough, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, put aside his eagles for feathers of a different kind when he was inducted as an honorary chief master sergeant May 12 at the Galaxy Club.

The Chiefs' group, made up of all the chief master sergeants on each base, can induct any leader who, by the decision of the group, meets the criteria and is worthy of induction into the enlisted corps as an honorary chief master sergeant.

"The fact that Colonel Stough is a colonel has nothing to do with his induction," said Chief Master Sergeant Michael Warner, 100th ARW command chief. "What does matter, is the leadership he provided - leadership that merited the highest honor that the chiefs of an individual base can bestow: that of being singled out for induction into the enlisted corps as an honorary chief master sergeant."

Chief Warner said this honor was bestowed on Colonel Stough as a mark of recognition of his leadership. He said throughout the long history of the world's armed forces, the enlisted corps has employed a variety of means to recognize those commissioned officers who, in its view - and according to its standards - deserve special recognition.

Throughout the year, Air Force chief master sergeants have refined the procedures for recognizing and honoring the select few they believe possess, and use, the special qualities expected and appreciated in its leaders by the enlisted corps.

"Colonel Stough met these criteria, as he guided his command to an even greater magnitude of duty, honor and country," said Chief Warner. "His personal and professional dignity, his pride in the uniform we wear, and his unbridled desire to speak out in support of our Air Force's enlisted corps, inspired us to set and maintain the highest goals for excellence.

"The bottom line for our chiefs' group is that Colonel Stough is a great leader, and we couldn't have recognized him in any other fashion," he said.

The new, honorary chief said he was overwhelmed by the honor and humbled at the same time.

"This recognition is a high point in my professional career and will remain one of my most treasured memories," said Colonel Stough. "At the same time, I'm fully aware that this is an honorary title. I'm proud the chiefs saw fit to bestow the title on me, but it pales in comparison to the hard work and sacrifice made by those Airmen who reach the top one percent of the enlisted force."

The wing command chief said it meant a lot to all the chiefs to be able to recognize a great leader like Colonel Stough so appropriately.

"As his command chief, I've had the pleasure every day of seeing the care, concern, drive, passion, dedication and simply super leadership he provides to the men and women of Team Mildenhall, and it felt so right to hear his words and see the look in his eye as he was inducted into the enlisted corps as a chief master sergeant," Chief Warner said.

"He was truly awed and overwhelmed by the honor - it was a great way to honor him so appropriately, as he gets ready to move on to his next assignment. I know this is something he will carry with him forever," he said.