ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- 2011 marked an historic moment for one enlisted member of the 116th Air Control Wing.
Chief Master Sgt. Kipp Stewart, a 116th Force Support Squadron superintendent, became the first female African-American chief master sergeant in the wing's history, which dates back to 1942.
In 1987, as a broke college student, Stewart enlisted in the Air Force.
"Initially, I needed something to do and wanted to go to school," she said. Her recruiter convinced her there were very few African-American females in the electronics field. She took him up on his advice and became a ground radio equipment maintenance technician. Little did she know, the start of her ground-breaking career would come full circle as she was promoted as the first and only current African-American female chief assigned to the 116th ACW.
After three years working in electronics, Stewart, seeking a challenge, retrained to manpower. With renewed excitement, she began to think the Air Force could be a career. As life would have it, circumstances changed her plans.
Shortly after the birth of their first child, Stewart and her husband were both slated for remote assignments. The idea of leaving her newborn child with someone else was a decision Stewart couldn't live with. Nearing the end of her enlistment, she decided a return to civilian life would be best for her family.
During her time as a civilian, Stewart worked as a teacher and assistant director of a preschool. Destiny steered Stewart back to the military in an unexpected way. After moving to Georgia, a friend told her about the Air National Guard.
Looking for a change, she joined the Georgia Air National Guard in 1999 as a senior airman in the 116th Bomb Wing. Within months, she obtained a full-time position working in personnel. After joining the Guard, her thoughts about being a career Airman were solidified.
"I loved the fact that I could serve actively and still be in a family environment and raise my children," she said.
Applying the principles her mother taught her about doing the absolute best job in whatever task she is given, Stewart blazed a trail to join the top 1 percent of all Air Force NCOs. When Stewart learned she was going to be the first African-American female chief in 116th history, she was shocked.
"My thought was, 'Oh my, how overwhelming.'" Stewart said. "In a way you think, 'I'm not worthy,' but then I thought, 'All eyes are on me, and I have to really represent.' It's a huge honor, and I'm humbled."
According to Stewart, she didn't start out as a model Airman, but had good mentors to guide her. An early lesson she learned was the Air Force is based on the whole-person concept; your personal and professional military lives have to marry up for success.
Stewart said now she is paying it forward.
"I want to make sure my footprint is to give people the formula for success that has helped me."