Top enlisted recognized during joint ceremony

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A joint service E-9 recognition ceremony at the Minuteman Commons on Feb. 3 will formally recognize five service members who have achieved the top enlisted rank in the armed forces.

Hosted by the 66th Air Base Group and the Hanscom Chief's Group, the ceremony will recognize two members of the U.S. Air Force as well as three members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chief Master Sgt. Kevin L. Call, Electronic Systems Center command chief, understands well the accomplishment these five individuals have made.

"Achieving the rank of E-9 is an incredible accomplishment that is achieved by only one percent of enlisted personnel," he said. "Recognizing this accomplishment in a joint ceremony adds even more to the event as we operate today in a more joint environment."

The social begins at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. in the ballroom. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Jan. 27 to Chief Master Sgt. Laura Wilkes at 781-377-8243, or by visiting https://einvitations.afit.edu/NewEnglandE9s/anim.cfm.

Honorees
Master Chief Petty Officer Steve Hargis joined the Coast Guard in April 1983 from his hometown in St. Clair Shores, Mich. Hargis completed recruit basic training at Cape May, N.J., before graduating from the Coast Guard's Electronics Technician School on Governor's Island in N.Y. He has had numerous assignments over his nearly 30-year career, ranging from his home state of Michigan to an assignment in Italy.

Master Chief Petty Officer David C. Kroll joined the Coast Guard in October 1983. Upon completing recruit basic training and Electronics Systems Technician School, Kroll was assigned to Air Station Traverse City, Mich. Kroll has served in a variety of assignments over his nearly 30-year career, currently serving as the Command Master Chief of Sector Northern New England since this summer. Kroll has a master's degree from Columbia Southern University in Human Resource Management and a bachelor's degree from Touro University International.

Master Chief Petty Officer Jamey Spurgeon joined the Coast Guard in September 1994 from his hometown of Los Angeles. He completed recruit basic training and then graduated from the Coast Guard Damage Controlman School located in Yorktown, Va. Spurgeon has served in several assignments during his18-year career, receiving several military awards and decorations.

Chief Master Sgt. Lorna De La Cruz, a native of California, enlisted in the Air Force in June 1984. After completing basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, she attended the Financial Management Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. In 2001, De La Cruz became a Professional Military Education instructor at the Kisling Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Germany. In 2004, she became an Air Force first sergeant, serving in two major commands. De La Cruz holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of California Los Angeles and a master's degree in Management from Webster University.

Senior Master Sgt. Kathleen M. McCool enlisted in the Air Force in 1995. She began her career as a health services management apprentice. In 1999, she became a Military Training Instructor (MTI) at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for three years, and then an instructor of MTIs for three years. In 2004, McCool entered the recruiting career field, serving in many positions. McCool has received several awards and decorations over her career, most notably being selected as one of the 2011 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, which recognizes the top enlisted personnel in the Air Force.