CommunityEditor
02-27-2008, 07:33 PM
The Community College of the Air Force — the world’s largest community college — has appointed an Air National Guard chief master sergeant as its vice commandant.
This is the first time in the college’s 35-year history that an enlisted airman has held such a high-ranking position in its leadership.
Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Thornell will be the first guardsman to hold the strategic-level position, serving under Lt. Col. Ray Staats, the college’s commandant, who previously served as vice commandant.
Staats has called Thornell’s appointment a “historic milestone.”
Thornell holds a master’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University in Omaha, Neb., and formerly was chief education officer in a South Dakota school system, where he climbed through the ranks from teaching and high school principal positions.
Thornell said the college and its parent, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., are transforming and dividing up officer and enlisted programs. In the future, the institution’s commandant will also be a chief master sergeant.
“I think you will see additional opportunities for bachelor’s degrees,” Thornell said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley is “anxious to offer as many degree opportunities to enlisted airmen as he can.”
Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_community_college_022708/
This is the first time in the college’s 35-year history that an enlisted airman has held such a high-ranking position in its leadership.
Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Thornell will be the first guardsman to hold the strategic-level position, serving under Lt. Col. Ray Staats, the college’s commandant, who previously served as vice commandant.
Staats has called Thornell’s appointment a “historic milestone.”
Thornell holds a master’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University in Omaha, Neb., and formerly was chief education officer in a South Dakota school system, where he climbed through the ranks from teaching and high school principal positions.
Thornell said the college and its parent, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., are transforming and dividing up officer and enlisted programs. In the future, the institution’s commandant will also be a chief master sergeant.
“I think you will see additional opportunities for bachelor’s degrees,” Thornell said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley is “anxious to offer as many degree opportunities to enlisted airmen as he can.”
Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_community_college_022708/