Chief Master Sergeant Grant R. Lenzen is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Department of the Air Force Inspection Agency. The Agency is a diverse team of 146 military and civilian experts who provide independent reviews, inspections, evaluations, oversight, training, analysis, and policy on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force in support of the United States Air and Space Forces. These reports and analyses inform Congress, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs, and Commanders at all levels on readiness, efficiency, and effectiveness of conventional and nuclear units. The agency is the schoolhouse for Department of the Air Force Inspector General training, and provides oversight of congressionally mandated programs, full Unit Effectiveness Inspections of Field Operating Agencies and Direct Reporting Units, medical portions of all Unit Effectiveness Inspections, and management inspections of HQ Air Force, Major Commands, and Numbered Air Forces.
Chief Lenzen entered the Air Force in 1998 as an Aircrew Egress Systems technician. His previous assignments include Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Osan AB, Korea, Edwards AFB, Calif., Air Force Plant 42, Calif., Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Phoenix, Ariz., Kirtland AFB, N.M., Incirlik AB, Turkey, and Hurlburt Field, Fla. He has completed special assignments in aircraft developmental test and evaluation, and a joint assignment as a strategic debriefer. He has deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, and supported Operations ALLIED FORCE, ODYSSEY DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE missions while in garrison.
EDUCATION
2002 Airman Leadership School, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
2008 Noncommissioned Office Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
2009 Associate’s in Applied Science degree, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Ala.
2011 Associate’s of Science degree, Professional Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2011 Bachelor’s of Science degree (summa cum laude), Professional Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2013 U.S. Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2014 Associate’s in Applied Science degree, Intelligence Analysis, Community College of the Air Force, Ala.
2014 Master’s of Science degree (with distinction), Project Management, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2018 Chief Leadership Course, Gunter Annex, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1998 - February 1999, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1999 - April 1999, Aircrew Egress Systems Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. May 1999 - May 2001, Aircrew Egress Systems Journeyman, 52 Component Repair Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
4. June 2001 - June 2002, Aircrew Egress Systems Journeyman, 51 Maintenance Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
5. June 2002 - January 2004, Aircrew Egress Systems Journeyman, 412 Component Maintenance Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
6. January 2004 - September 2005, Aircrew Egress Systems Craftsman, 412 Component Maintenance Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
7. September 2005 - June 2006, NCOIC, Egress Section, 412 Maintenance Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
8. June 2006 - October 2008, NCOIC F-117A Egress Systems, 410 Flight Test Squadron, AF Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif.
9. October 2008 - March 2010, NCOIC Aircraft Egress Section, 28 Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
10. March 2010 - April 2010, NCOIC, Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Section, 28 Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
11. April 2010 - December 2011, Production Superintendent, 28 Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
12. December 2011 - June 2012, NCOIC, Aircraft Fuels Systems Section, 28 Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
13. June 2012 - August 2014, Strategic Debriefer, Phoenix, Ariz.
14. August 2014 - January 2016, Propulsion Flight Chief, 58 Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
15. January 2016 - August 2016, Maintenance Flight Chief, 58 Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
16. August 2016 - November 2017, Maintenance Superintendent, 39 Maintenance Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey
17. November 2017 – July 2018, Squadron Assistant Superintendent, 1 Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
18. July 2018 – July 2020, Squadron Superintendent, 1 Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
19. July 2020 - Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Department of the Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, N.M
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 United States Air Force in Europe Maintenance Professional of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant March 2018
(Current as of December 2021)