Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Sutherland Jr. is the Superintendent of Air Force Basic Military Training at the 737th Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas. He is responsible for the supervision, leadership and training of more than 650 permanent party personnel, and a daily student load of about 6,000. The group conducts all aspects of the Air Force enlisted recruit training program and ensures the orderly transition from civilian to military life for about 35,000 active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve non-prior service accessions annually.
Sutherland is from Mt. Zion, Ill., he enlisted in the Air Force and reported to what was then Lackland Air Force, Texas, for basic training in April 1987. Sutherland graduated from the Aerospace Ground Equipment Course at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, in October 1987. His back ground includes various positions in backshop maintenance on eight airframes, technical training instructor, assistant First Sergeant and protocol. His deployment experience includes support for Operations PROVIDE PROMISE, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1990 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan
2000 Associate Degree, Aerospace Ground Equipment, Community College of the AF
2000 Associate Degree, Instructor In Technology, Community College of the AF
2001 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2007 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1987 - June 1992, AGE Repairman, 379th Field Maintenance Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Mich.
2. June 1992 - August 1994, AGE Journeyman, 16th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
3. August 1994 - August 1995, AGE Craftsman, 8th Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Korea
4. August 1995 - August 1998, AGE Craftsman, 33rd Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. August 1998 - March 2000, AGE Instructor, 82nd Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas
6. August 2000 - March 2003, NCOIC Wing Protocol, 82nd Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas
7. March 2003 - June 2004, AGE Team NCOIC, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
8. June 2004 - September 2005, Assistant First Sergeant, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
9. September 2005 - September 2007, Production Superintendent, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. October 2007 - October 2009, AGE Flight Chief, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
11. October 2009 - August 2010, Maintenance Flight Chief, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
12. August 2010 - June 2011, Total Force Integration Maintenance Superintendent, 2d Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
13. June 2011 - June 2012, Superintendent, 51st Maintenance Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea.
14. June 2012 - September 2013, Superintendent, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
15. September 2013 - present, Superintendent, 737th Training Group, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaing Medal with one bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
OTHER AWARDS
33rd Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Professional of the Year 1996
2rd Maintenance Squadron SNCO of the Year 2004
8th Air Force Pursuit of Excellence Award 2007
2rd Maintenance Squadron SNCO of the Year 2008
2rd Maintenance Group Bossier Patriot Award 2008
SNCO Academy Distinguished Graduate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic April 1987
Airman October 1987
Airman First Class August 1988
Senior Airman April 1990
Sergeant April 1991
Staff Sergeant December 1995
Technical Sergeant July 2000
Master Sergeant July 2003
Senior Master Sergeant December 2007
Chief Master Sergeant July 2011
(Current as of October 2013)