MSgt Howard

Biography

Master Sergeant Candi M. Howard is the First Sergeant to the commander of the 103d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Connecticut Air National Guard. In this role, she serves as a critical link to the commander and the focal point for all health, readiness, morale, welfare and quality of life concerns for over 55 crew chiefs in direct support of the 103d Maintenance Group’s goal to ‘Keep ‘Em’ Flying’. Sergeant Howard grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi where she enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard. She completed the Personnel Apprentice course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. in September 1999. She held a variety of positions within and served as a member of the Command Support Staff for the 153d Air Refueling Squadron (ARS). After 4 years with the 153d ARS, she deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After joining the air traffic control career field in 2004, she transferred to Wyoming to help rebuild the foundation of skilled controllers and trainers, which led to the 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron (ATCS) winning the D. Ray Hardin ATC Facility of the year award in 2014. In 2016 Sergeant Howard returned to her original passion of Personnel within the 103d Airlift Wing. As a civilian, Sergeant Howard has also functioned as a public servant for the flying community as an air traffic controller for more than 15 years. Prior to assuming her current military position, MSgt Howard was the Military Personnel Flight Chief, 103d Force Support Squadron in East Granby, Conn.

Education

1999 Personnel Apprentice, Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Miss.

2003 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala. by correspondence

2004 Air Traffic Control Apprentice, Keesler AFB, Miss

2009 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

2009 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Airway Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

2015 Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree, Human Resource Management, Park University, Mo.

2019 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Mc Ghee Tyson Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Tenn.

2023 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

2024 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala. by correspondence

Major Awards, Decortations, and Achievements

Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal

2015 Cum laude, B.S., Park University

2017 Force Support Squadron Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

2021 Force Support Squadron Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

Career Chronology

1. August 1999–September 1999, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas

2. September 1999 – October 1999, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.

3. October 1999 – October 2004, Personnel Craftsman, 153d Air Refueling Squadron, Meridian ANGB, Miss.

4. October 2004 – January 2007, Air Traffic Control Journeyman, 248th Air Traffic Squadron, Meridian ANGB, Miss.

5. January 2007 – October 2016, ANATCT, 243d Air Traffic Squadron, Cheyenne ANGB, Wyo.

6. October 2016 – July 2022, Manpower & Personnel Flight, Flight Chief, Bradley ANGB, Conn.

7. July 2022 – Present, First Sergeant, 103d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn.

Professional Memberships and Associations

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Member

National Guard Association of Connecticut, Member

Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, Member

Effective Dates of Promotion

Airman Feb. 16, 1999

Airman First Class Aug. 17, 2000

Senior Airman Mar. 3, 2001

Staff Sergeant May 2, 2003

Technical Sergeant Oct. 1, 2017

Master Sergeant Jul. 23, 2021