CMSgt Jessie Thomas is the Chief Enlisted Manager, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. In this role, he serves as key advisor to the Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety and Safety Center Commander for the development, implementation, execution and evaluation of all Air and Space Forces’ aviation, occupational, weapons, space and nuclear surety programs to preserve combat capability and save lives. The Center promotes safety awareness, provides technical support and oversight for mishap investigations, evaluates safety programs to ensure policy implementation, directs the department Risk Management program and provides accredited education to safety professionals across the Department of Defense.
Chief Thomas was raised in Georgia and entered the Air Force in November 2002. He graduated Aircraft Structural Maintenance training in May 2003 before being assigned to his first duty station. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of aircraft maintenance roles and leadership positions at squadron, group, wing and headquarters levels. Additionally, the Chief stepped outside of his career field serving as a First Sergeant and Inspector General Superintendent. His assignments include bases in Florida, Colorado, South Dakota, New Jersey, and New Mexico. Chief Thomas has also deployed several times in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, the Chief was the Senior Enlisted Leader, 58th Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
EDUCATION
2003 Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technical Training Course, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
2006 Airman Leadership School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2010 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Maintenance, Community College of the Air Force
2010 Air Advisors Academy, USAF Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University
2012 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
2013 Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Fla.
2014 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2015 Associate of Applied Science, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
2016 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Joint Knowledge Online
2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2021 Master of Science, Management, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2022 Inspector General Training Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2023 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
- November 2002 – January 2003, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- January 2003 – May 2003, Student, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technical Training School, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
- May 2003 – June 2006, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman, 16th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (March 2005 – July 2005, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman, 16th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq)
- June 2006 – January 2011, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Craftsman, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (October 2006 – February 2007, NCOIC, Force Protection Escort, 64th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) & (June 2008 – September 2008, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Craftsman, 16th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
- January 2011 – January 2012, Aircraft Structural Maintenance Air Advisor, 442d Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan
- January 2012 – August 2014, NCOIC, Aircraft Structural Maintenance, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- August 2014 – September 2015, First Sergeant, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- September 2015 – August 2018, First Sergeant, Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley AFB, Colo (October 2017 – April 2018, First Sergeant, CENTCOM Forward Headquarters, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
- August 2018 – August 2021, Fabrication Flight Chief, 28th Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
- August 2021 – February 2022, Maintenance Superintendent, 305th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
- February 2022 – March 2023, Inspector General Superintendent, 305th Air Mobility Wing, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
- March 2023 – January 2024, Gold AMU Superintendent, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
- January 2024 – January 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 58th Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
- January 2025 – Present, Chief Enlisted Manager, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2012 NCO of the Year, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron
2016 First Sergeant of the Year, Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel Center
2017 First Sergeant of the Year, Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant June 1, 2023
(Current as of January 2025)