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12th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eric W. Benken (born August 20, 1951)[1] is a retired airman of the United States Air Force who served as the 12th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from 1996 to 1999. He was the last Vietnam War veteran to hold the position.
Eric W. Benken | |
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Benken c. 1996 | |
| Born | August 20, 1951 Cincinnati, Ohio, US |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970–1999 |
| Rank | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Force Commendation Medal (3) Joint Service Achievement Medal |
Benken was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the United States 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. 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 the Commanders of 12th Air Force and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). During his tenure as USAFE Senior Enlisted Advisor and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Air Force was involved in operations Northern Watch-Southern Watch (Iraq), Provide Promise (Bosnia), Provide Comfort (Iraq), Deliberate Force (Bosnia), Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Desert Fox (Iraq) and Allied Force (Kosovo).
Benken served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from November 1996 to July 1999. In this role Benken was the senior enlisted advisor to General Ron Fogleman and General Michael E. Ryan, the respective Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force during his tenure. He also served Secretaries of the Air Force, Sheila Widnall and F. Whitten Peters. 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; fighting for repeal of the 1986 40 percent retirement and creation of the NCO Professional Development Seminar. The Air Force Core Values of Integrity, Service Before Self and Excellence in All You Do were released in January 1997 in "The Little Blue Book." The development of the new Air Force Symbol began in 1998 to enhance recruiting and retention.
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