Chief Master Sgt. Christel Perkins is the Air Force Public Affairs Enlisted Career Field Manager, Office of Public Affairs, Secretary of the Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington D.C. She is responsible for the education, training and career development of 2000 active duty, reserve and guard public affair specialists. She advises the Director of Public Affairs and serves as the functional expert to the Air Staff for all public affairs enlisted issues.
A Pensacola native, Chief Perkins enlisted January 1994 as a videographer and reported directly to her first duty assignment at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. Prior to assuming her current position, she served in a variety of public affairs, multimedia and leadership positions including instructing at the Defense Information School and performing as the Functional Manager for Public Affairs Enlisted Assignments. Chief Perkins has also deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1999 Airman Leadership School, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (Distinguished Graduate.
2003 Associate of Fine and Applied Arts in Audiovisual Production Services, Community College of the Air Force 2006 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey (Academic, Excellence/Distinguished Graduate)
2007 Bachelor of Arts in Audiovisual Production Services, Military Service Academy
2007 Bachelor of Arts in Communications Degree from University of Maryland University College (Cum Laude) 2010 United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Non-residence
2014 Public Affairs Qualifications Course, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, M.D. 2014 Master Resilience Trainer Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2017 Master of Science in Human Resources Administration from Central Michigan University 2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (E7-E9)
2018 Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) Training
2020 Chief Leadership Course, Non-residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1994-March 1994, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. March 1994-October 1997, Visual Information Production Apprentice, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
3. October 1997-October 2001, Visual Aid Journeyman, Sembach Air Base, Germany
4. October 2001-October 2003, Videographer, Fairchild Air Force Base, W.A.
5. December 2003-August 2008, Instructor, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, M.D.
6. August 2008-February 2010, NCOIC Public Affairs, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
7. February 2010-July 2013 NCOIC, Regional Media Center, American Forces Network, Korea, Yongsan, Korea
8. July 2013-April 2017, Superintendent, Joint Base Public Affairs, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
9. May 2017-Aug 2020, Functional Manager, 3N0/3N1/3N2 Assignment, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX
10. Aug 2020-Jun 2021, Public Affairs Functional Area Manager, HQ AFIMSC, Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly, TX
11. Jun 2021-Present, Public Affairs Career Field Manager, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters Air Force Good Conduct Medal with eight oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal with one star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal with one star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 HQ AFSPC PA Director’s Excellence Award Outstanding Communication Noncommissioned Officer 2012 American Forces Network SNCO of the Year
2013 87th Air Base Wing SNCO of the 4th Quarter 2014 87th Wing Staff Agencies SNCO of the Year 2014 87th Air Base Wing SNCO of the 2nd Quarter 2015 87th Air Base Wing Team of the 2nd Quarter
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Mar 1, 2020
(Current as of June 2021)