Chief Master Sgt. Kerry Q. Thompson is the senior enlisted leader for the 42nd Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Chief Thompson is the principal advisor to the commander on matters influencing the readiness, training, education and resiliency of 189 assigned military and civilian Security Forces personnel. He manages Security Forces capabilities, force readiness, enlisted manpower and the unit recognition program. Chief Thompson’s focus is on establishing a healthy organizational climate and the deliberate development of defenders to project a highly effective, competent, fit and trained force.
Chief Thompson enlisted in the Air Force in June of 1995 and his background includes various duties in the Security Forces career field. He has held various leadership positions while serving at the squadron and headquarters staff level. He has deployed in support of operation Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Prior to assuming his current position, Chief Thompson served as senior enlisted leader, 97th Security Forces Squadron, Altus AFB, Oklahoma.
EDUCATION
2001 Airman Leadership School, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
2003 Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kessler AFB, Miss.
2013 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education, by correspondence
2016 Bachelor's of Science Degree, Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement & Public Safety), Excelsior College, Albany N.Y.
2016 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. by correspondence
2022 Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
June 1995 – August 1995, Trainee, 323rd Basic Military Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
August 1995 – November 1995, Student, 343rd Training Squadron, Security and Law Enforcement Training Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
November 1995 – June 1998, Response Force Member, 5th Security Police Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
June 1998 – June 1999, Entry Controller, 51st Security Forces Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea
June 1999 – February 2002, Security Forces Investigator, 27th Security Forces Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
February 2002 – February 2003, Noncommissioned officer in charge, Ration Control, 51st Security Forces Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
February 2003 – April 2004, Installation Patrolman, 436th Security Forces Squadron, Dover AFB, Del.
April 2004 – January 2006, Communications System Operator, 914th Communications Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. (June 2004 – August 2004, Trainee, 81st Training Wing, Communications and Control Training Center, Kessler AFB, Miss.)
January 2006 – June 2011, Military Working Dog Handler/Flight Chief/NCOIC Investigations, 19th Security Forces Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
June 2011 – June 2012, Section Chief, Pass and Registration, 51st Security Forces Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
June 2012 – July 2014, Flight Chief/NCOIC, Installation Security, 902d Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas
July 2014 – August 2015, Superintendent, Inspector General, 502nd Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Texas
Aug 2015 – September 2016, Superintendent, Air Force Inspection System Program Management, Headquarters Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, JB San Antonio-Lackland-Kelly, Texas
Sept 2016 – July 2019, Operations Superintendent, 673rd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska
July 2019 – Aug 2020, Operations Superintendent, 5th Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
Aug 2020 – June 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 97th Security Forces Squadron, Altus AFB, Okla.
June 2022 – present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 42nd Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor Device and two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Army Combat Action Badge Air Force Recognition Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1995 Distinguished Honor Graduate, Security Police Technical Training School, 343rd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2008 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 19th Mission Support Group, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2009 Air Mobility Command, Capt Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award Recipient
2010 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy 2010 Headquarters Air Force, Col. Billy Jack Carter Award Recipient
2010 Headquarters Air Force, David C. Schilling Award for Battlefield Airmen and Security Forces
2018 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 673rd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
2018 673rd Air Base Wing, Capt Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award Nominee, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
2020 Air Force Global Strike Command, Capt Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award Nominee, Minot AFB, N.D.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic June 14, 1995
Airman Dec. 14, 1995
Airman First Class Sept. 30, 1997
Senior Airman May 30, 1999
Staff Sergeant Jan. 1, 2002
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2009
Master Sergeant May 1, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant Oct. 1, 2017
Chief Master Sergeant April 1, 2021
(Current as of July 31, 2023)