Chief's re-enlistment becomes a family affair

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jasmin Taylor
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  When the time came for Chief Master Sgt. Ronald McCulley, 919th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, to re-enlist for what may be the final time, the decision of which officer would do the honors of administering the oath was easy.  He chose his younger brother.

With roughly 800 Airmen from the wing as witnesses during the December commander's call, 2nd Lt. Scott McCulley, 919th Special Operations Communications Squadron, swore in his brother.

The Chief said it was an honor to have his immediate family present for his re-enlistment, but was grateful his extended family of the 919th Special Operations Wing, the people he worked with for the last 18 years, were also present to witness this moment.

"It was awesome," said McCulley, whose six-year enlistment will put him at 31 years of service.  "My brother just received his commission so I was very proud to have him re-enlist me as a chief master sergeant in the Air Force.

Chief McCulley had the honor of participating in the new officer's tradition of presenting the first salute and receiving the traditional silver dollar May 2, 2013 during his younger brother's commissioning ceremony. It is an Air Force tradition to buy your first salute and then earn every salute thereafter through your performance by gaining the respect of your subordinates.  The lieutenant became an officer two years ago after a 15-year enlisted career in explosive ordnance disposal.

"My very first re-enlistee since I received my commission was my brother," said McCulley, 36, who can't think of a time in his career where he has ever seen a Chief re-enlist.  "His re-enlistment was a privilege not only from a professional standpoint, but from a personal standpoint as well."

The Chief said he started his Air Force journey without knowing what he was about to embark.  However, as time went by, his career choice must have been enticing, because his family followed in his footsteps. 

"I'm not sure if I was the influence behind my family following in my footsteps, but I'd like to think so," said the 46-year-old-veteran.

Lieutenant McCulley was the next family member to join the military followed by their youngest brother Donovan and then the chief's oldest son Senior Airman Douglas McCulley, currently a firefighter with the 919th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. 

"It's great to be a part of my dad's reenlistment," said the 25-year-old.  "He was a huge influence for my decision to enlist in the Air Force and I'm proud to join him at Duke Field."

The chief's youngest brother, Donovan is an army sergeant stationed in Korea.  His nephew Joey is currently at jump school in the Army.  McCulley's youngest son, Dalton, is interested in being a K-9 handler and completed a year of high school ROTC.

"With no other military influence in my family, I had no idea what an impact joining the Air Force as an 18-year-old kid would have on me and my future family," said 25-year-veteran.  "As I look back, I think I was able to set a bar, a precedent that was seen and emulated by those closest to me.  It is truly a humbling and heartwarming experience and I am very proud of each of them."