Top Air Force Enlisted Leaders Are Getting a Title Change

Top enlisted leaders are getting new titles later this year, according to a memo sent to all airmen dated Aug. 4.

The title "superintendent," usually reserved for senior master sergeants and chief master sergeants, will switch to "senior enlisted leader." The move goes into effect Oct. 1, coinciding with the new fiscal year. The change would impact the senior enlisted member at the detachment, squadron and group levels.

The memo was first posted online by the unofficial Air Force Facebook page Amn/NCO/SNCO on Thursday.

"Today's modern threats call for a new level of teaming and partnerships to defend the security of our nation," the Air Force memo said. "To support this mission imperative, it is important that our duty titles reflect the key leadership roles many of our senior noncommissioned officers serve in."

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The memo was signed by Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and Gen. Charles Brown Jr., the Air Force chief of staff.

Enlisted evaluations that close out prior to October will not be impacted and will not need to be modified, the memo added.

It's unclear what spurred the change or what tangible impact it will have on the force beyond new titles on paper, as pay will not be altered. The Air Force did not immediately return a request for comment.

"We intentionally chose to avoid waiting to make this decision," the memo said. "This shift further signifies the role of our senior enlisted leaders as a crucial part of our command teams."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

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