Life: Idiotropic

I don't say much here about the military side of our life. My girls go to the school on base, my milk is "armed forces milk," I see airplanes every day. It's just the norm.

But tonight we got to do something special. This was the third Chief Induction ceremony that I've attended and by far the best. The personnel wore their mess dress - their formal uniform. Spouses wore formals from simple black to ornate with sequins.

The occasion: the promotion of three amazing guys to the rank of chief.

The room was filled with fancy people and all the VIPs. The food was great. The tables were nicely set. A small table sat in the corner set, but empty to recognize the soldiers who could not be with us - a symbol explained thoroughly in previous ceremonies but not in this one.

It was a nice party - as it should be. Chief is the highest rank in the enlisted forces. Only 1% of the enlisted personnel can have the rank of chief. These are the backbone of the force - the men with the knowledge, the leadership, and the experience. It's amazing. They are the guys that get things done.

One of our friends was being honored tonight. He was there with his wife and daughters and when it was his time to speak, like the two before him, he gave his thanks to God, family, friends, and mentors, and gave roses to his wife and girls. Chuck's the unassuming "country boy" who had us all in stitches with the quote of the night referring to his wife as his "smokin' hot internet bride."

Before the evening began, we gave a series of toasts

• "To the flag of the United States of America"
• "To the Chancellor, Bundesrepublic, Deutschland"
• "To the President of the United States"
• "To the Secretary of the Air Force"
• "To the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force"
• "To the Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force"
• "To Our NATO Partners and Allied Services"

It went so fast, we all felt a bit like part of a college drinking game.

The Airman's Creed came in the middle as they spoke about the role of a Chief.


And, after a beautiful evening of friends, food, and short, but poignant speeches, we finished with the Air Force Song which I, embarrassingly enough, still need to read the words to.