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Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force

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Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
CMSSF service cap badge
CMSSF flag
since 15 September 2023 (15 September 2023)
United States Space Force
Space Staff
StyleChief
TypeSenior enlisted advisor
AbbreviationCMSSF
Member ofThe Space Staff
Reports toChief of Space Operations
ResidenceJoint Base Andrews, Maryland[1]
AppointerChief of Space Operations
Formation3 April 2020
First holderRoger A. Towberman
Salary$9,786.00 per month, regardless of the incumbent's service longevity[2]
WebsiteOfficial Website

The chief master sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF) is the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of space operations and the secretary of the Air Force. The chief master sergeant of the Space Force is the most senior enlisted guardian in the U.S. Space Force, unless an enlisted guardian is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman.[3]

Appointment and responsibilities

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The chief of space operations appoints the chief master sergeant of the Space Force and is designated a special paygrade above E-9. To be appointed, the appointee must have at least 22 years of service and must have been a chief master sergeant for at least three years.[4]

The chief master sergeant of the Space Force is the highest noncommissioned officer in the Space Force. The chief serves as the senior enlisted advisor to both the chief of space operations and the secretary of the Air Force on all matters regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization, and progress of Space Force enlisted members and their families.[3]

History

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The inaugural chief master sergeant of the Space Force, Chief Master Sergeant Roger A. Towberman, was sworn in on 3 April 2020, having previously served as the command chief master sergeant of the Air Force Space Command, and concurrently serving as the senior enlisted leader of the United States Space Command. In addition to being the first chief master sergeant of the Space Force, he is also the second member of the Space Force and its first enlisted member.[3]

The position was originally known as the senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force (SEASF) from 3 April 2020 until it was renamed on 1 February 2021 to chief master sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF).[5]

In 2023, five chief master sergeants were considered to replace Towberman who is slated to retire. They went through a series of tests, which included an interview by an occupational psychologist, a mock U.S. Congress testimony, a mock town hall with airmen, and an interview with senior Space Force officials, that would guide General B. Chance Saltzman's selection.[4] On May 5, 2023, Saltzman selected John F. Bentivegna to replace Towberman and serve as the second chief master sergeant of the Space Force. His assignment was announced on May 8, 2023.[6]

Insignia

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The first rank insignia worn by the chief master sergeant of the Space Force, was based upon the rank insignia of the Air Force's chief master sergeant rank insignia, with other components, such as the two stars, designed to be consistent with the senior enlisted advisor rank of the other services. The delta, orbit, and globe elements at the center of the rank were taken from the seal of the United States Space Force. However, unlike the insignia of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force which has a Laurel wreath around the central star within the rockers, the CMSSF insignia does not.[3] On 20 September 2021, new insignia for all enlisted in the Space Force was introduced, including the CMSSF.[7][8][9]

  • Rank insignia
  • 2020–2021
    2020–2021
  • 2021–present
    2021–present

List of chief master sergeants of the Space Force

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General John W. Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, swears in Roger A. Towberman as the first senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force while Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett looks on, April 3, 2020.
No. Portrait Name Term Chief of Space Operations Ref.
Took office Left office Duration
1
Roger A. Towberman
Chief Master Sergeant
Roger A. Towberman
(born 1967/1968)		3 April 202015 September 20233 years, 165 daysJohn W. Raymond
B. Chance Saltzman		[3][10]
2
John F. Bentivegna
Chief Master Sergeant
John F. Bentivegna
(born c. 1976)		15 September 2023Incumbent1 year, 63 daysB. Chance Saltzman[11]

Timeline

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John F. BentivegnaRoger A. Towberman

Heritage portraits

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Former chief master sergeants of the Space Force have portraits on permanent display in the Pentagon.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A $1.8 Million Home for Space Force's Top Enlisted Leader Is Included in the 2023 Budget Request". www.military.com. 29 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Monthly rates of Basic Pay (Enlisted) - Effective January 1, 2023".
  3. ^ a b c d e Keller, MSgt Sara (3 April 2020). "CMSgt Towberman sworn in as the first Senior Enlisted Advisor for the U.S. Space Force". United States Space Force Public Affairs. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b Novelly, Thomas (28 April 2023). "Here Are the 5 Candidates Who Could Be the Space Force's Next Top Enlisted Leader". Military.com.
  5. ^ Pawlyk, Oriana (29 January 2021). "These Are the Official Space Force Ranks". Military.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna selected as next Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Space". United States Space Force. 8 May 2023.
  7. ^ SpaceForceDOD Twitter, "Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman announced today the new design of the #SpaceForce's enlisted rank insignia."
  8. ^ Hadley, Greg (20 September 2021). "Space Force Reveals Insignia for Enlisted Ranks". airforcemag.com. Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  9. ^ Toropin, Konstantin (20 September 2021). "The Space Force Finally Has Its Own Rank Insignia". Military.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  10. ^ "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE SPACE FORCE ROGER A. TOWBERMAN". www.spaceforce.mil.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JOHN F. BENTIVEGNA". www.spaceforce.mil.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ "SecAF unveils portrait of first CMSSF". United States Space Force. 12 July 2024.
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