Chief Master Sgt. Vanessa Kilmer 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 educating, training, and career development of 2,000 active duty, reserve, and guard public affairs specialists. She advises the Director of Public Affairs and serves as the functional expert to the Air Staff for all public affairs enlisted issues.
Chief Kilmer enlisted in the Air Force in 2002 and her background includes various wing, field-operating agency and joint positions in the public affairs career field. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as the Chief Enlisted Manager, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs – Space at the Pentagon.
Her deployments included supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and a U.S. Southern Command humanitarian operation. She has also completed overseas tours in England and Turkey.
EDUCATION
2002 Associate of Arts, General/Liberal Studies, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio, Texas
2006 Airman Leadership School, RAF Lakenheath, England
2006 Associate of Applied Science, Public Affairs, Community College of the Air Force
2009 Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Md.
2012 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2014 Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer PME course (non-residence)
2018 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2021 Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wa.
2022 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2022 National and International Security Leadership Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.
2023 Strategic Leader Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2002 – August 2005, Newspaper Editor, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Holloman AFB, NM
(June 2004 – September 2004, Public Affairs Battle NCO, Multinational Force – Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq)
2. August 2005 – August 2008, NCOIC, Media Operations/Community Relations, 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England
3. August 2008 – October 2008, Public Web technical consultant, Air Force News Agency, San Antonio, Texas
4. October 2008 – June 2011, Reporter/Editor, Defense Media Activity, San Antonio, Texas
5. June 2011 – February 2013, Reporter/Editor, Defense Media Activity, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
6. February 2013 – September 2014, NCOIC Air Force News Service, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
7. September 2014 – September 2016, Superintendent, Public Affairs, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
(September 2015 – April 2016, Chief Internal Information, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Headquarters, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait)
8. November 2016 – November 2017, Superintendent, Public Affairs, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
9. December 2017 – May 2018, Superintendent, Public Affairs, 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo.
10. June 2018 – December 2019, Public Affairs Functional Area Manager, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
11. December 2019 – August 2021, Public Affairs Functional Area Manager, U.S. Space Force / Space Operations Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
12. August 2021 – May 2024, Chief Enlisted Manager, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs – Space, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. May 2024 – Present, Public Affairs Career Field Manager, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 John L. Levitow Award, RAF Lakenheath Airman Leadership School
2006 Air Force Public Affairs Airman of the Year
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Airey Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2015 Public Affairs SNCO of the Year, Air Mobility Command
2018 Distinguished Graduate, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Public Affairs SNCO of the Year, U.S. Space Force
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant October 2021
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2024)