Command Chief Master Sergeant Joan M. Nguyen is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 163d Attack Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California. As the senior enlisted advisor, she is responsible for matters influencing the health, welfare, and professional development of enlisted personnel. Through enlisted force engagement, she is the communication link between the commander and enlisted community, ensuring the commander’s directions and policies are carried out, and the Airmen understand and are dedicated to the mission of the command. Additionally, she is responsible for Senior Enlisted mentorship as well as coordinating with outside agencies on mission, vision, core values and commander’s intent.
Chief Nguyen entered the United States Air Force in 1999, beginning her active-duty career as a Surveillance Technician at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where she served for seven years. Her early operational experience includes a deployment to Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia, in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH and SOUTHERN WATCH. In 2004, she completed a remote tour to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, serving as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Joint Interface Control Cell in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
In 2006, Chief Nguyen transitioned to the Arizona Air National Guard as a Sensor Operator, where she played a pivotal role in standing up a newly established Attack Squadron. She subsequently transferred to the California Air National Guard in 2007. In this capacity, she directly supported combat operations and amassed over 2,800 flying hours. Selected to serve as a First Sergeant in 2014, Chief Nguyen provided vital leadership and personnel oversight for the Security Forces Squadron, Mission Support Group, and Headquarters elements, and was later activated in support of the Operations Group Title 10 mission. Prior to her current assignment, she served as the Human Resource Advisor. In this role, she provided strategic leadership, guidance, and educational support, equipping personnel with the tools necessary to implement organizational change and cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture. Chief Nguyen assumed her previous position as the Mission Support Group Senior Enlisted Leader in June 2022.
EDUCATION
1999 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Tx.
2002 Airman Leadership School, Okinawa AB, Japan, in-residence
2008 Associate Degree, Space Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, March Air Reserve Base, Ca., by correspondence
2013 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, March Air Reserve Base, CA., by correspondence
2015 Associate Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint PME (course 1), Joint Knowledge Online, by correspondence
2018 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Course, AFRC, March Reserve Base, CA, in-residence
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint PME (course 2), Joint Knowledge Online, by correspondence
2022 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, ANGRC, in-residence
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
July 1999 – April 2001, SURVEILLANCE TECHNICIAN, 609th Combat Operations Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC
April 2001 – April 2004, WEAPONS DIRECTORATE TECHNICIAN, 623d Air Control Flight, Okinawa AB, Japan
April 2004 – April 2005, JOINT INTERFACE CONTROL TECHNICIAN, CAOC, Al-Udeid AB, Qatar
April 2005 – April 2006, OPERATIONS and SCHEDULING, 607th Air Control Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
April 2006 – July 2007, SENSOR OPERATOR, 214th Attack Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
July 2007 – February 2014. SENOSR OPERATOR, 196th Attack Squadron, March ARB, CA
February 2014 – May 2016, FIRST SERGEANT, 163d Security Forces Squadron, March ARB, CA
May 2016 – September 2017, FIRST SERGEANT, 163d Mission Support Group, March ARB, CA
September 2017 – February 2018, FIRST SERGEANT, 196th Attack Squadron, March ARB, CA
February 2018 – June 2018, SENSOR OPERATOR, 196th Attack Squadron, March ARB, CA
June 2018 – May 2022, HUMAN RESOURCE ADVISOR 163d Attack Wing, March ARB, CA
June 2022 – Present, SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER, 163d Mission Support Group, March ARB, CA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION [MILITARY ONLY]
Airman Basic March 24, 1999
Airman First Class May 07, 1999
Senior Airman March 07, 2001
Staff Sergeant February 01, 2003
Technical Sergeant May 11, 2007
Master Sergeant May 21, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant October 3, 2018
Chief Master Sergeant May 25, 2021
(Current as of May 2026)
Airman Basic March 24, 1999
Airman First Class May 07, 1999
Senior Airman March 07, 2001
Staff Sergeant February 01, 2003
Technical Sergeant May 11, 2007
Master Sergeant May 21, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant October 3, 2018
Chief Master Sergeant May 25, 2021
(Current as of May 2026)