Tyler, Texas (July 11, 2024) — UT Health East Texas EMS CEO John Smith was promoted this month to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, a rank putting him in the top 1% of all of those enlisted in the military.
U.S. Air Force leaders from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana were in Tyler on Thursday to present Smith with a certificate of promotion at a surprise ceremony at UT Health East Texas EMS headquarters.
“When folks make chief it is a very big deal,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Wolfe. “To achieve this rank requires a combination of leadership skills, professional military education, outstanding performance and working your way through multiple jobs and multiple levels of supervision to get to that top tier.”
Smith entered the Air Force in 1998 and has served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. He has received a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Air Force Achievement Medal.
As a member of the Air Force Reserve, Smith dedicates one weekend a month and two full weeks a year to ensuring Reserve crews are mission ready if the need arises. Air Force Reserve Command provides the U.S. Air Force with about 14% of the total force in terms of manpower and resourcing, Wolfe said.
Reservists support nuclear deterrence operations, air, space and cyberspace superiority, command and control, global integrated intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, global precision attack, special operations, rapid global mobility and personnel recovery. They also perform space operations, aircraft flight testing, aerial port operations, civil engineer, security forces, military training, communications, mobility support, transportation and services missions.
“We appreciate UT Health being supportive of the U.S. military and Reserve. Reservists have a huge impact on mission readiness and mission effectiveness, and that is a price that many employers are willing to pay to keep our nation safe,” Wolfe said. “I wanted to share this prestigious accomplishment with UT Health so John’s leadership team can see this is what he’s doing when he’s not here one weekend a month. He is a leader all the way around.”
UT Health East Texas Market President Donald Baker said the health system is extremely supportive of military service, and Smith’s promotion is testament to the leadership skills he exemplifies in both his civilian and military roles.
“John’s commitment to both his civilian and military duties is a testament to his strong work ethic and leadership qualities,” Baker said. “The skills and discipline he brings from his military service greatly enhances our team and contributes to our success.”