Command Chief Master Sergeant Gerald G. Raynal Jr.
Command Chief Master Sergeant Gerald G. Raynal Jr. is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Louisiana Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the seventh State Command Chief Master Sergeant to represent the Airmen of the State of Louisiana. Chief Raynal advises The Adjutant General, Commander of the Air National Guard, and staff on all matters influencing the mission readiness, professional development, proper utilization, health, morale, and welfare of the State’s enlisted Airmen and their families. Additionally, he disseminates the commander’s policies to all levels of senior officer and enlisted leadership.
CMSgt. Raynal enlisted in the Louisiana Air National Guard in April 1984. He graduated from Basic Military Training and completed Aircraft Armament Systems technical training at NAS JRB New Orleans, La. in Nov. 1984. CMSgt. Raynal’s background consists of various duties within the Aircraft Armament Systems career field, which includes experience on two weapons systems; the F-4C Phantom II and the F-15A-D Eagle. His assignments have included Weapons Load Crew Member, Weapons Standardization Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Weapons Section Superintendent, 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, and 159th Maintenance Squadron Component Repair Flight Superintendent. CMSgt. Raynal has deployed to numerous locations in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH and SOUTHERN WATCH. Prior to assuming his current position, CMSgt. Raynal served as the 159th Fighter Wing Command Chief.
EDUCATION
1984 Aircraft Armament Systems technical training, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
1987 Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course, NAS JRB New Orleans, La., by correspondence
1994 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, McGee Tyson ANG Base, Tenn.
1997 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 USAF Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2014 Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Senior Leader Equal Opportunity Course, New Orleans, LA
2015 Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant’s Executive Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2016 Air National Guard Command Chief Orientation Course, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk Va.
ASSIGNMENTSAIR FORCE
1. May 1984–June 1984, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. June 1984–June 1992, Weapons Load Crew, 159 Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
3. June 1992–August 2003, Weapons Standardization, 159 Aircraft Generation Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
4. March 2000–February 2003, Weapons Section Supervisor, 159 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
5. February 2003–February 2008, Weapons Superintendent, 159 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
6. February 2008–January 2012, 159 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
7. Jan 2012–June 2016, Component Repair Flight Superintendent, 159 Maintenance Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
8. Aug 2016–May 2020, Command Chief, 159 Fighter Wing, NAS JRB New Orleans, La.
9. Jun 2020 – Present, State Command Chief, Louisiana Air National Guard, Jackson Barracks, La.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Louisiana Cross of Merit
Louisiana Commendation Medal with two devices
Louisiana War Cross
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with one device
Louisiana General Excellence with three devices
Louisiana Longevity Service Medal with five devices
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Louisiana Air National Guard Chief’s Council, President, 2014–2018
Enlisted Association of the National Guard, Life Member
Louisiana National Guard Enlisted Association, Life Member
Louisiana Federal Employee Partnership Council, Committee Member
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans Credit Union, Board Member
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman May 18, 1984
Airman First Class February 6, 1985
Senior Airmen February 23, 1986
Sergeant March 13, 1987
Staff Sergeant March 19, 1988
Technical Sergeant October 5, 1991
Master Sergeant October 18, 1995
Senior Master Sergeant May 11, 2000
Chief Master Sergeant May 20, 2008
(Current as of June 2020)