Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. selects assigned to the 17th Training Wing pose for a group photo during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant is one of the most selective and demanding achievements in an enlisted Air Force career. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant has demonstrated sustained excellence, technical expertise and proven leadership within their respective specialties, reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing inspections & unit self-assessment manager, is coined by Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th TRW command chief, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant is one of the most selective and demanding achievements in an enlisted Air Force career. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant has demonstrated sustained excellence, technical expertise and proven leadership within their respective specialties, reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. select Justin E. Holden, 17th Contracting Squadron, is greeted and congratulated by peers, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant demonstrated sustained excellent leadership skills reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kelly Griffith, 17th Training Wing commander, and Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing inspections & unit self-assessment manager, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant demonstrated sustained excellent leadership skills reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

Published March 30, 2026
By Senior Airmen Quatasia Carter and Airman 1st Class Maria Mota
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

The 17th Training Wing hosted the 2026 Senior Master Sgt. promotion release party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 13.

The official list for those selected to be promoted to Senior Master Sergeant for the 2026 promotion cycle was released earlier this month. This year's cycle, 13,315 Master Sergeants were eligible for promotion, and only 1,474 were selected. Seven of those selected are from Goodfellow AFB.

The 17th Training Wing recognized the selects for their outstanding achievements during a ceremony on March 11. Reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant is one of the most selective and demanding achievements in an enlisted Air Force career. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant demonstrated excellent leadership skills, reflecting the high standards required of the senior non-commissioned officer position.

“The key difference is the full transition from a tactical supervisor to an operational leader,” stated Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, Wing Inspections & Unit Self-Assessment Manager. “As a Senior Master Sgt., your scope broadens organizationally. The focus shifts towards mentoring your junior SNCOs and advising commanders of the enlisted force. The stakes are higher, and the margin of error is smaller.”

Congratulations to Goodfellow’s newest Senior Master Sergeant selects:

(S)MSgt Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing

(S)MSgt Justin E. Holden, 17th Contracting Squadron

(S)MSgt Carmen “TM” Turcious-Munioz Goodfellow Operational Medical Readiness Squadron

(S)MSgt Rex R. Borck, 311th Training Squadron

(S)MSgt Cody A. Cardinal, 311th Training Squadron

(S)MSgt Brian R. Character, 517th Training Group

(S)MSgt Rebekka R. Thompson, 314th Training Squadron

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing inspections & unit self-assessment manager, is coined by Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th TRW command chief, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant is one of the most selective and demanding achievements in an enlisted Air Force career. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant has demonstrated sustained excellence, technical expertise and proven leadership within their respective specialties, reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. select Justin E. Holden, 17th Contracting Squadron, is greeted and congratulated by peers, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant demonstrated sustained excellent leadership skills reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kelly Griffith, 17th Training Wing commander, and Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing inspections & unit self-assessment manager, stand together for a photo. — Goodfellow Hosts 2026 SMSgt Promotion Release Party

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kelly Griffith, 17th Training Wing commander, and Senior Master Sgt. select Jedadiah Bauman, 17th Training Wing inspections & unit self-assessment manager, during the Senior Master Sergeant Release Party at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 11, 2026. Each newly selected Senior Master Sergeant demonstrated sustained excellent leadership skills reflecting the high standards required of those who advance into the senior enlisted tier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quatasia Carter)