CMSgt Tracy D. Cornett is the Command Chief, 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. As the Command Chief, CMSgt Cornett serves as the senior enlisted advisor and commander’s critical link for 1,100 Airmen within the Wing on all mattersconcerning mission readiness. Responsibilities includeserving as the commander’s advisor on personnel programs, career progression, and development, Professional Military Education, recognition programs, and any additional needs required by the commander. He also ensures wing members are prepared to deploy and renders the necessary leadership to provide and sustain a mission-ready enlisted force for the commander. He works closely with the commander to prepare the enlisted and officer corps to execute Air Force Reserve Command missions.
CMSgt Cornett began his military career in May 1991 as a graduate of Air Force Basic Military Training. He spent four years on active duty as a Munitions Systems Specialist. After leaving active duty in 1995, CMSgt Cornett joined the Air Force Reserve in May 2003. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the command chief, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Throughout his career, he has served at the squadron, group, wing, and MAJCOM levels. During that time, CMSgt Cornett has served in support of numerous operations including Desert Storm, Combined Task Forces Northern Watch, Provide Comfort, Provide Promise, Deny Flight, and Operation Enduring Freedom. CMSgt Cornett also served as the acting Command Chief for AFRC’s largest exercise, Patriot Warrior 2017. In addition to his military service, CMSgt Cornett is a retiree in the State of North Carolina with 30 years of service as a medic and law enforcement officer.
EDUCATION
2004 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Air Force NCO Academy, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala, by correspondence
2010 Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala.
2010 Associate Applied Science, Criminal Justice, Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton, N.C.
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I (SEJPME), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2012 Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala, by correspondence
2014 AFRC Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership Development Course, Pope Army Airfield, N.C.
2014 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, N.C.
2014 Associate in Applied Science, Air Transportation, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Associate in Applied Science, Human Resources, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II (SEJPME), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2017 Air Force Reserve Chief Orientation Course, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
2018 Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course (SELO), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Wing Leadership Capitol Hill Symposium, Washington DC
2021 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Andrews JB Andrews, Md.
2022 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington DC
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 1991 – June 1991, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. July 1991 – August 1991, Student, Technical Training School, Lowry AFB, Colo.
3. September 1991– September 1993, Crew Member, Munitions Systems Specialist, 39th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 39th Tactical Group, 7440th Composite Wing (Provisional), Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
4. September 1993 – May 1995, Combat Munitions Flightline Team Member, Munitions Systems Journeyman, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
5. May 2003 – December 2009, Air Transportation Craftsman, 440th Airlift Wing, 53rd Aerial Port Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
6. December 2009 – November 2011, First Sergeant, 440th Airlift Wing, 440th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C.
7. November 2011 – May 2012, First Sergeant, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Joint Base Bagram, Afghanistan
8. June 2012 – January 2014, First Sergeant, 440th Airlift Wing, 53rd Aerial Port Squadron, PAAF, N.C.
9. January 2014 – August 2015, First Sergeant, 440th Airlift Wing, 440th Maintenance Squadron, PAAF, N.C.
10. September 2015 – October 2017, First Sergeant/CEM (acting), Force Generation Center, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
11. August 2017 – Acting Command Chief, Patriot Warrior 2017, Young Air Assault Strip, Fort McCoy, Wis.
12. October 2017 – September 2019, Superintendent, 931st Operations Group, 931st Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.
13. September 2019 – September 2022, Command Chief, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. September 2022 – Present, Command Chief 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters Armed Forces
Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device and ‘M’ Device
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2004 Distinguished Graduate, Air Transportation Apprentice Course
2010 Magna Cum Laude, Western Piedmont Community College
2012 First Sergeant of the Year, 440th Airlift Wing, Pope Field
2014 Cum Laude, Western Carolina University
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
916th Air Refueling Wing Chief's Group
4th Fighter Wing Chief's Group
Air Force Association
Air Force Sergeants Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION [MILITARY ONLY]
Airman Basic May 14, 1991
Airman November 14, 1991
Airman First Class September 14, 1992
Senior Airman August 11, 1998
Staff Sergeant July 1, 2005
Technical Sergeant September 1, 2007
Master Sergeant December 1, 2009
Senior Master Sergeant January 1, 2014
Chief Master Sergeant January 1, 2018
(Current as of February 2023)