2026 NCR SNCO Induction Ceremony

Event Program

Friday, 31 July 2026Martin's Crosswinds, Greenbelt, MD

Social Hour at 5pm · Ceremony at 6pm

The Evening's

Sequence of Events

01Social Hour
02Presentation of the Colors
03National Anthem
04Invocation
05Introductions
06POW/MIA Table
07Dinner
08Guest Speaker
09Intermission
10Introduction of Inductees
11Induction Ceremony
12SNCO Inductee Charge
13Closing Remarks
14Air Force Song
15Space Force Song

Honoring

The Inductees

View the inductee roster+

Coming Soon

The official list of 2026 inductees will be published here in advance of the ceremony.

Keynote Speaker

CMSSF John F. Bentivegna

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John F. Bentivegna serves at the highest enlisted level of leadership and provides direction for the enlisted force, representing their interests to the American public and to those in all levels of government. He acts as the personal advisor to the Chief of Space Operations and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization, and development of the U.S. Space Force.

CMSSF Bentivegna entered the United States Air Force in 1994 and has served in both Maintenance and Space Operations career fields. He has held positions at the squadron, division, group, wing, Numbered Air Force, Field Command and Headquarters Air and Space Force levels. He entered the United States Space Force on September 1, 2020.

Education+

·1999 — Airman Leadership School, Buckley AFB, CO
·2001 — Advanced Space Operations Course, NSSI, CO
·2001 — Space in the Air Operations Center, NSSI, CO
·2002 — A.S., Electronic Systems Technology, CCAF
·2002 — A.S., Space Operations Technology, CCAF
·2004 — Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB, CO
·2008 — USMC Staff NCO Advanced Course, Quantico, VA
·2014 — Professional Management Certificate, CCAF
·2015 — Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC Chapel Hill
·2015 — Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
·2016 — Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Learning
·2016 — AFSO21 Executive Leadership Course, University of Tennessee
·2016 — Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Washington, D.C.
·2017 — Senior Enlisted Joint PME II, distance learning
·2018 — Keystone 18-1 Fellow, National Defense University
·2022 — B.A., Political Science, American Military University

Major Awards & Decorations+

·Defense Superior Service Medal
·Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
·Defense Meritorious Service Medal
·Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
·Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
·Air and Space Achievement Medal
·Joint Meritorious Unit Award
·Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with silver and three oak leaf clusters
·Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
·Space Force Good Conduct Medal
·Air Force Good Conduct Medal with silver and oak leaf clusters
·National Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Service Medal
·National Defense Service Medal with device
·Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
·Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
·Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Other Achievements+

·1997 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
·1997 Airman of the Year, 305th Air Mobility Wing
·1999 John Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School
·1999 Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School
·2004 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
·2008 Honor Graduate, USMC Staff NCO Advanced Course
·2009 Senior NCO of the Year, Mission Operations Directorate, NRO

Assignments+

Aug 1994 – Oct 1994Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
Nov 1994 – Jun 1995PMEL Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, MS
Jul 1995 – May 1998PMEL Technician, McGuire AFB, NJ
Jun 1998 – Oct 2002Ground Systems Operator, DSP, Buckley AFB, CO
Nov 2002 – Nov 2003NCOIC, Operations Training, Clear AFS, AK
Dec 2003 – Nov 2007Superintendent, 527th Space Aggressor Sq, Schriever AFB, CO
Dec 2007 – Sep 2010Superintendent, Mission Mgmt Div, Aerospace Data Facility, Buckley AFB, CO
Oct 2010 – Jun 2013Superintendent, 76th Space Control Sq, Peterson AFB, CO
Jul 2013 – Apr 2015Superintendent, 460th Operations Group, Buckley AFB, CO
Apr 2015 – Jan 2017Command Chief, 50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, CO
Feb 2017 – Nov 2017Chief, AF Enlisted Force Development, HAF, the Pentagon, VA
Dec 2017 – Jan 2019CSEL, AF Element, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA
Feb 2019 – Dec 2019Command Chief, 14th AF & CFSCC, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Dec 2019 – Sep 2020Command Chief, SpOC & CFSCC, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Oct 2020 – Jan 2021Command Chief, Space Operations Command, Peterson AFB, CO
Feb 2021 – May 2022Senior Enlisted Leader, SpOC, Peterson SFB, CO
Jun 2022 – Aug 2023SEA to COO & Enlisted Space Ops CFM, HQ Space Force, Arlington, VA
Sep 2023 – presentChief Master Sgt. of the Space Force, the Pentagon, VA

Effective Date of Promotion+

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force · September 2023

Sing Along

Service Songs

U.S. Air Force

Wild Blue Yonder

First Verse

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,

Climbing high into the sun;

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,

At 'em boys, give 'er the gun!

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,

Off with one helluva roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame.

Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

U.S. Space Force

Semper Supra

First Verse

We're the mighty watchful eye,

Guardians beyond the blue,

The invisible front line,

Warfighters brave and true.

Boldly reaching into space,

There's no limit to our sky.

Standing guard both night and day,

We're the Space Force from on high.

With Gratitude

Our Sponsors

A special thanks to the organizations whose generous support makes this ceremony possible.

Sponsor

Sponsor logos coming soon