Chief Master Sgt. Sally J. Ford is the Command Chief Master Sergeant at the 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Air National Guard Base, California. She provides the commander key advice on operational effectiveness, as well as the organization, training, and equipping of the enlisted force. She is also responsible for the professional development of enlisted personnel with a key focus on SNCO/NCO mentorship and leadership.
Born and raised in Southern California, Chief Ford entered the Air Force in September 1999. She began her career as a Security Forces member before cross-training into the Paralegal, First Sergeant, and Personnel career field, ultimately returning to Security Forces. Throughout her career, she has earned seven Air Force Specialty Codes. After serving 11 years in Active-Duty Air Force, she transitioned to the California Air National Guard through the Palace Chase Program in November 2010. She served as the Law Office Superintendent for the 129th Rescue Wing and as a First Sergeant for both Security Forces and the Mission Support Group.
In her civilian capacity, she worked as a Department of the Army Paralegal and later as an Inspector General with the 63rd Regional Support Command, Army Reserves. She returned to military service full-time as an Active Guard Reserve member, serving as the Human Resources Remote Designee for the 129th Rescue Wing, managing manpower and employment actions for the wings full-time force. She later served as the Senior Enlisted Leader, also known as the Security Forces Manager, for the 129th Security Forces Squadron. In this role, she led a unit responsible for a 24/7 home station mission, state taskings, and federal deployments. Chief Ford has deployed in support of Operations JOINT FORGE, INHERENT RESOLVE, and SPARTAN SHIELD. Prior to her current position, she was the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 129th Mission Support Group, Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif.
EDUCATION
2003 Airman Leadership School (Leadership Award and the John Levitow)
2003 Associates of Applied Science Degree, Police Science, CCAF
2005 Paralegal Apprentice Course
2006 Personal Trainer Certification, National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association
2007 Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach, NESTA
2008 Paralegal Craftsman Course
2008 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (Distinguished Graduate)
2008 Associates of Applied Science Degree, Paralegal, CCAF
2009 Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach, NESTA
2012 First Sergeant Academy (Honor Graduate)
2012 Army Inspector General Course (Academic Excellence)
2013 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (Distance)
2013 Associates of Applied Science Degree, Human Resources, CCAF
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course (Distance)
2015 Professional Manager Certificate, CCAF
2016 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Residence Course (Distinguished Graduate)
2016 International SNCO Leadership Development Seminar (INLEAD)
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II (Distance)
2018 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
2020 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course
2020 City of Mountain View Civic Leadership Program
2021 Security Forces Intermediate Course
2021 Security Forces Advanced Course
2021 Regional Seminar Transnational Issues, Alan L. Freed and Associates, Washington D.C.
2022 Bachelors of Science, Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude, American Military University
2023 Strategic Mindset Seminar, Stimson Associates
2023 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Academy
2024 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed and Associates, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
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September 1999 - February 2000, Basic Military Training, 320th Training Sq; Security Forces Technical School, 343rd Training Sq, Lackland AFB, Texas
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March 2000 - March 2003, Response Force Leader; WS3 Alarm Monitor; Patrolman, 568th Security Forces Sq, Ramstein AB, Germany
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March 2003 - April 2005, Security Force Leader; Security Controller; Physical Security NCO/Security Manager/Information Security NCO/Sensor NCO, 85th Security Forces Sq, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland
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June 2005 – September 2006, Claims Examiner, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
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September 2006 – May 2008, Military Justice Paralegal, United States Air Force Warfare Center, Nev.
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May 2008 – May 2010, Defense Paralegal, Nellis AFB, Nev
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June 2010 – November 2010, General Law Paralegal, United States Air Force Warfare Center, Nev.
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November 2010 – May 2013, Law Office Superintendent, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif.
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April 2012 – March 2014, Security Forces First Sergeant, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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July 2014 – January 2015, First Sergeant, 879th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia
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March 2014 – February 2016, Mission Support Group First Sergeant, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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February 2016 – June 2018, Human Resources Remote Designee, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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June 2018 – May 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader aka Security Forces Manager, 129th Security Forces Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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October 2021 – April 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 332d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Southwest Asia.
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May 2023 – August 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 129th Mission Support Group, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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August 2024 - Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
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December 2010 – April 2012, U.S. Department of the Army Paralegal, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 63d Regional Support Command, Moffett Field, Calif.
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April 2012 – February 2016, US, U.S. Department of the Army Assistant Inspector General, 63d Regional Support Command, Moffett Field, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Serve Medal with two devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with three devices
Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five devices
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three devices
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two devices
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” device
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass and 2 M devices
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 568th SFF, 86th SFS, 86th SPTG, 86th AW and Kaiserslautern Military Community Airman of the Quarter, 2nd Qtr
2001 Senior Airman Below the Zone
2001 Awarded “Pat on the Back” for Ramstein Air Base Nuclear Surety Inspection
2001 568th SFF, 86th SFS, and 86th SPTG Airman of the Year
2002 86th SFG Julie Y. Cross recipient
2003 John L. Levitow and Leadership Award recipient for Airman Leadership School
2004 85th SFS Flight Level NCO of the Quarter, 4th Qtr
2004 USAFE Defender Challenge Team Squad Leader
2008 Distinguished Graduate NCOA Class 08-4
2010 Western Pacific Region Defense Paralegal of the Quarter, 1st Qtr
2012 Honor Graduate, USAF First Sergeant Academy, Class 12-E
2012 Army Inspector General Course Academic Excellence Award
2013 AFA Chapter 361 First Sergeant of the Year
2014 AFA Chapter 361 First Sergeant of the Year
2015 129th RQW, State of California, and the National, Air National Guard First Sergeant of the Year
2016 Distinguished Graduate, SNCO Academy In-Residence Course, Class 16-E
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic September 1, 1999
Airman First Class November 1, 1999
Senior Airman September 1, 2001
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2003
Technical Sergeant July 1, 2006
Master Sergeant June 13, 2011
Senior Master Sergeant 1 February 1, 2017
Chief Master Sergeant 20 December 20, 2019
(Current as of August 2024)