Chief Master Sergeant Christopher D. Griste is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. As the Command Chief, Chief Griste ensures personnel programs are in place to enhance the morale, health and welfare for more than 640 personnel assigned to headquarters, five major detachments, and 11 operating locations across the nation. In addition to monitoring morale, he articulates the commander’s vision and policies and communicates the concerns of the enlisted force to the commander. He also advises senior leadership on manpower, personnel, and professional development issues affecting 45 enlisted career fields in support of operational test and evaluation of more than 98 major acquisition programs valued at more than $1 trillion.
Chief Griste is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He entered the Air Force in February 1996, as a Services Apprentice. His career has included diverse assignments in Florida, Netherlands, Texas, Korea, Alaska, Ohio and Alabama. He has participated in several contingencies in support of Air Force Operations including; Operations Northern and Southern Watch as well as Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, he served six years as a First Sergeant as well as a First Sergeant Instructor.
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
EDUCATION
1996 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1996 Services Apprentice Technical School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2000 Airman Leadership School, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
2004 Associate of Applied Science, Restaurant, Hotel, and Fitness Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Basic Instructors Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2006 Associate of Science, Military Instructor Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Occupational Instructor Certification, Lackland AFB, Texas
2007 Bachelor of Science, Business Management with Computer Information Systems, Park University,
2007 Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor, Lackland AFB, Texas
2008 NCO Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
2010 Senior NCO Academy, by correspondence
2011 Senior NCO Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2012 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Associate of Science, Human Resource Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Professional Manager Certification, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Correspondence Course
2018 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course (AETC) Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas
2018 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 U.S. Air Force Continuous Process Improvement Senior Leader Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Next Jump Leadership Academy, New York City, New York
2019 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Andrews AFB, Washington D.C.
2019 Arctic Defense and Security Orientation Course, Fairbanks, Alaska
2020 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Master of Science, Management, Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness, Troy University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1996 - May 1996, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. May 1996 - June 1996, student, 344th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. June 1996 - June 2000, Services Journeyman, 16th Services Squadron, Hurlburt Field AFB, Fla. (August 1998 - October 1998, Quality Assurance Evaluator, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
4. June 2000 - June 2004, Assistant Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Recreation Services, 752nd Munitions Support Squadron, Volkel AB, Netherlands
5. July 2004 - July 2008, Instructor Supervisor, 344th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
6. July 2008 - Aug 2009, Community Center Director, 8th Force Support Squadron, Kunsan AB, Korea
7. August 2009 - August 2012, Operations Superintendent, 673rd Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
8. September 2012 - February 2014, First Sergeant, Geospatial and Signatures Analysis Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (March 2013- August 2013, First Sergeant, 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Kyrgyz Republic and Afghanistan)
9. February 2014 - February 2015, First Sergeant, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
10. February 2015 – May 2018, Vice Commandant, United States Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
11. May 2018 – July 2020, Superintendent, 354th Force Support Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
12. July 2020 - January 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group, Cannon AFB, N.M.
13. January 2022 – Present, Command Chief, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Instructor of the Year, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2010 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 673rd Mission Support Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
2013 First Sergeant of the Year, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
2017 First Sergeant of the Year, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 First Sergeant of the Year, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant August 2018
Command Chief Master Sergeant January 2022
(Current as of January 2022)