CMSgt Carl D. Schneider Jr., is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 188th Wing and serves as a member of the commander's staff to advise and assist in matters concerning enlisted members of the command or organization. He advises the wing commander on issues affecting the morale, welfare and effectiveness of the wing’s approximately 850 enlisted members. He serves as a two-way conduit of information between the wing commander and the enlisted force. The chief also advises the commander on matters that could adversely impact enlisted personnel, with the objective of minimizing issues which could negatively affect mission readiness. Additionally, Chief Schneider works closely with other chief master sergeants, first sergeants, senior NCOs, and commanders across the wing.
Chief Master Sergeant Carl D. Schneider Jr., graduated from High School in 1986 near the top of his class. After graduation, he joined the Air Force in September of 1986 on the delayed enlistment program. He graduated Ground Radio Communication Specialist Course at Keesler AFB, MS in 1987 and proceeded to Sheppard AFB, TX for his first duty assignment. In 1989 he transferred to the 188th Fighter Wing Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and cross-trained as an Aircraft Electro-Environmental Technician.
In 1991 he joined the 188th Communications Flight as a Ground Radio Communications Technician where he made his first overseas deployment to Karup, Denmark in support of Coronet Dragoon. His first AEF rotation was to the Balkans Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), in Vicenza Italy, for Operation JOINT GUARDIAN. During this deployment he was the first “Guard Guy” to ever receive the Commander’s coin for support during a critical move from the Balkans CAOC to CAOC 5, Ferrara Italy. In 2005, he deployed to Balad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with support to the F-16 Tactical/Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System Pod ground equipment. CMSgt Schneider’s next assignment was with the 188th Operational Support Flight as an Operational Intelligence Analyst, in 2008. In 2010, CMSgt Schneider deployed with the 188th Fighter Wing on their first ever Combat Deployment to Afghanistan, as the Intelligence Superintendent, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and then again in 2012. In 2013, with the announcement of the 188th conversion to the DCGS Enterprise, CMSgt. Schneider was identified as a key member of the conversion and appointed as superintendent of the 188th Intelligence Support Squadron a key component of DGS-Arkansas. In 2018, CMSgt. Schenider was asked to move back to the 188th Communications Flight as the Chief Enlisted Manger. His knowledge of IT and Mission systems was critically needed to preserve operations of two 24/7 mission sets. In 2021, CMSgt. was moved once again, this time to be the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Mission Support Group. He works in concert with other senior enlisted leaders such as the Command Chief, other group senior enlisted leaders, career advisors, and First Sergeants to oversee readiness, training, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life of assigned personnel. CMSgt Schneider is an integral part in developing Mission Support Enlisted Personnel.
EDUCATION
1987 Honor Graduate Ground Radio Communication Specialist Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
1989 Honor Graduate Aircraft Electro-Environmental Specialist Course, Chanute AFB, Ill.
1991 ALS Academy, non-residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1993 NCO Academy, non-residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1997 Associate Degree in Electronic Systems Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2003 Senior NCO Academy, non-residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Operations Intelligence Specialist Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2012 Responsible Officers Course/FP II, Hulbert Field, AFB, Fla.
2012 AF Force Protection Intelligence Formal Training Unit Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2013 Associate Degree, in Intelligence Analysis, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
2018 Key Management Infrastructure, Keesler AFB, Miss.
ASSIGNMENTS
April 1987 – September 1987, student, Ground Radio Communication Course, 334th Student Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
September 1987 – January 1989, Ground Radio Technician, 2054th Communication Squadron, Sheppard
Air Force Base, Texas.
January 1989 – May 1989, Aircraft Electro-Environmental Technician 188th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Fort Smith, Ark.
May 1989 - October 1989, Student Aircraft Electro-Environmental, 3371st Student Squadron, Chanute AFB, Ill.
October 1989 – March 1991, Aircraft Electro-Environmental Technician 188th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Fort Smith, Ark.
March 1991 – November 1998, Ground Radio Communications Technician, 188th Communications Flight, Fort Smith, Ark.
January 2001 – September 2008, Cyber Transport Systems NCOIC, 188th Communications Flight, Fort Smith, Ark.
September 2008 – June 2009, Intelligence Operations Superintendent, 188th Operations Support Squadron, Fort Smith, Ark.
June 2009 – October 2009 Student, 315th Training Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, Texas.
October 2009 – April 2013, Intelligence Operations Superintendent, 188th Operations Support Squadron, Fort Smith, Ark.
April 2013 – May 2018, Cyber Systems Superintendent, 188th Intel Support Squadron, Fort Smith, Ark.
May 2018 – December 2021, Chief Enlisted Manager, 188th Communications Flight, Fort Smith, Ark.
December 2021 – February 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 188th Mission Support Group, Fort Smith, Ark.
February 2022 – Present, Wing Command Chief, 188th Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal bronze with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster
Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass, bronze “M” and bronze “3”
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star
NATO Medal ISAF
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Multi-quarterly Awards
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
188th Wing Chief’s Council
Enlisted 9 Council
Enlisted Association of the National Guard, Life Member
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Arkansas, Life Member VFW, Life Member
(Current as of February 2022)