Enlisted corps honors AFMC commander with Order of the Sword

Published April 2, 2012
By Monica D. Morales
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Taking part in an evening filled with pageantry and steeped in military tradition, Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Donald Hoffman was inducted into the AFMC Order of the Sword during a March 30, 2012, ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

"This honor tonight certainly is humbling for me, and I'm privileged to work with such a professional force," said General Hoffman. "I humbly accept their recognition, and I really appreciate the honor."

The Order of the Sword is the highest honor Air Force noncommissioned officers can give to an individual who has made significant contributions to the enlisted corps.

Acting as chief master sergeant of the mess, AFMC Command Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren cited numerous reasons, contributed by those who had previously worked with the general, as to why General Hoffman was so deserving of the honor.

"You are a great officer, but that's not why we're here," Chief Jaren said. "We're here because you are a great commander who has invested in our training, our facilities and our capabilities, in short, in our futures and in our lives."

He also shared with the mess a congratulatory letter to General Hoffman from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy.

"By your actions, commitment and care for the enlisted force, you have proven yourself a commendable leader worthy of this tribute," Chief Jaren said as he read Chief Roy's letter.

The Order of the Sword ceremony includes the presentation of a proclamation signed by key participants of the ceremony and a scroll containing the signatures of AFMC Airmen in attendance. The scroll attests to the firm belief of the general's patriotic service and leadership. The final presentation made to General Hoffman was of a personal sword.

Though General Hoffman said the early part of his career did not often yield much interaction with enlisted members, he holds in high regard those few who both mentored and molded his leadership.

"There are a couple that stood out - that I remember to this day - that took me aside and trained [then-] Lt. Hoffman or Capt. or Maj. Hoffman, and gave me a lot of understanding of the enlisted force," he said. "That helped me tremendously later on when I was a group commander and a wing commander."

As the general's career progressed, he said it was evident that the "backbone and success of our military" resides with the enlisted force's professionalism and the responsibilities assumed so early in their military ranks and careers.

"I would just like to thank all the enlisted members in Air Force Materiel Command for this honor, but I'd also like to congratulate them for being members of the best Air Force in the world," General Hoffman said.

The general's induction into the Order of the Sword marks the 243rd Air Force member to have received the honor, according to ceremony officials. The general is the eighth AFMC member to earn the accolade since the command's sword program began in 1994.